tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13019809031269000642016-09-12T05:35:38.105-07:00Perpetual Motion"Never give up, never surrender"Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-21878762911356874772013-11-05T20:17:00.000-08:002013-11-06T09:53:38.300-08:002013 Season Summary Part IIILast post finished&nbsp;off with a couple downer races in a row. Lackluster finishes at Xterra West Championships and 70.3 St. George left me questioning my fitness and preparation. I took a&nbsp;bit&nbsp;of&nbsp;a mid-season break and re-focused, determined to finish out the season strong. <br /><br />In July, I headed up to Running Springs, CA for Xterra Snow Valley.&nbsp;This is a race I tend to do well at and I already had enough points to secure an invite to Xterra National Championships. With the pressure of qualifying off my shoulders, I was free&nbsp;to&nbsp;push the envelope a bit.<br /><br />Longer course this year, but I was up for it. The run course there is burly and I knew doing a full 10k on the side of a mountain would hurt...it did.<br /><br />The swim pace to the first buoy was INSANE with super-swimmer Tom Monica&nbsp;leading it out. I felt like I struggled a bit in the water, specifically with sighting. Not a great swim, but a manageable gap to "the front". On to the bike and time to do work. <br /><br />Legs loaded up a bit on the bike &nbsp;from a big training week going in. Lots of people gassed in the latter stages from the longer course. I&nbsp;inherited the lead for my AG when the&nbsp;leader flatted, but I had no idea.<br /><br />Hit the run&nbsp;just&nbsp;trying to run steady the whole way and be smart, not go&nbsp;too hard too early and crack.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t5W7Qsm9090/Unmu7gn8gyI/AAAAAAAABo4/GJf23w3S400/s1600/XSV+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t5W7Qsm9090/Unmu7gn8gyI/AAAAAAAABo4/GJf23w3S400/s400/XSV+run.jpg" width="400" zsa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I suffered a lot on the run here. My hamstrings kept trying to cramp on me and the legs just felt dead. Saw a couple perennial "fast" guys come around me as well as Chris Clarke, who caught me even after fixing his flat. Dammit. A win would have been great, but 2nd place&nbsp;was pretty sweet after a couple crummy races.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;﻿</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXVgpKeOygE/Unmu5S-uJVI/AAAAAAAABow/qhz7dysrwMs/s1600/XZV+podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXVgpKeOygE/Unmu5S-uJVI/AAAAAAAABow/qhz7dysrwMs/s400/XZV+podium.jpg" width="300" zsa="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>&nbsp;After Snow Valley, I headed up to Xterra Lake Tahoe. This is the old Championships Course that I LOVE: amazingly scenic venue and a steep, technical bike course. Brother Steve lives nearby and decided to race with me. Bonus.<br /><br />I didn't write anything down on my training log, so it's hard to remember exactly how things went. I remember having a decent swim, but not great. I felt like&nbsp;I rode the bike course VERY well. I made lots of passes up the initial climb while still keeping my effort in check. I topped out the climb and hit the Flume Trail (techy single track) feeling pretty good.&nbsp;Somewhere on the&nbsp;Flume trail, I&nbsp;rode clear of the main group and into the gap between the front of the race.&nbsp;I rode the last of the&nbsp;climbs fairly well, but struggled&nbsp;a bit on the very last climb up&nbsp;to the top of the Rim Trail.<br /><br />I&nbsp;ate up the techy downhill in typical brap-tastic fashion&nbsp;and&nbsp;hit the run a bit fatigued. I'm picking up on a theme here...<br /><br />The run in Tahoe isn't&nbsp;steep, but it's constantly up, down and twisty such that getting into a rhythm is&nbsp;difficult.&nbsp;The legs were hating me at this point, but I sucked it up and finished&nbsp;it out.<br /><br />I didn't feel like I had a great race, so imagine my surprise when I checked the results and saw that I picked up the win in my AG. Woop!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2eXH3bz130M/Unmu-uS3KnI/AAAAAAAABpA/2M7lNyUaAT8/s1600/Tahoe+Podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2eXH3bz130M/Unmu-uS3KnI/AAAAAAAABpA/2M7lNyUaAT8/s400/Tahoe+Podium.jpg" width="400" zsa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;Even a blind squirrel gets a nut once in a while! Fortunately, none of the top guys in my region showed up to the race and I snuck into 2nd in the points rankings. Woo hoo! After two solid races, I had momentum building into National Championships. I couldn't help but get excited at my prospects in Ogden.<br /><br />September finally arrived and Holly and I headed up to Ogden, UT for Xterra National Championships. I felt rested, but the 13-hour drive definitely took something out of me.&nbsp;Still, we&nbsp;got into town&nbsp;on Thursday with&nbsp;the race on&nbsp;Saturday, so I thought there&nbsp;would be plenty of time&nbsp;for me to recover and put in a solid race.<br /><br />Friday morning,&nbsp;we went out to the reservoir so I could&nbsp;check out the start and&nbsp;the&nbsp;water. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8FPdfhFbCVI/UnmvKtzQFgI/AAAAAAAABpI/C2iWiDKetjw/s1600/Ogden+Pre+swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8FPdfhFbCVI/UnmvKtzQFgI/AAAAAAAABpI/C2iWiDKetjw/s400/Ogden+Pre+swim.jpg" width="400" zsa="true" /></a></div><br />Almost perfect water temps and you can see how glassy the water is. Win.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7V_7I7Dikww/UnmvMSpQChI/AAAAAAAABpQ/I9ONNOBSUfI/s1600/Ogden+Pre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7V_7I7Dikww/UnmvMSpQChI/AAAAAAAABpQ/I9ONNOBSUfI/s400/Ogden+Pre.jpg" width="400" zsa="true" /></a></div>I&nbsp;grabbed a snack and we drove the 20 mins up the hill to Snowbasin for a&nbsp;quick course recon. Utah in the fall?&nbsp;Yes, please!&nbsp;This photo does not do the area any justice,&nbsp;incredibly scenic venue.&nbsp;Holly went out for a run and convinced me I should look at the first climb on the run. I'm glad I did: it's STEEP! We packed up and headed back to the hotel so I could rest up for tomorrow. <br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Race morning came and I woke up not ready to go, but a bit tired. Race logistics are challenging due to the point-to-point format (not my favorite) and set-up took a lot of time and energy. Still, I got set up, marked and ready to go.&nbsp;﻿</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ929ro6Fus/UnmvcAtKuHI/AAAAAAAABpk/wwjc6hAKBWU/s1600/Ogden+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ929ro6Fus/UnmvcAtKuHI/AAAAAAAABpk/wwjc6hAKBWU/s400/Ogden+1.jpg" width="300" zsa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The canon goes off and it's mass start chaos. The water is super choppy from all the swimmers and from the camera helicopter. It felt like I wasted a lot of energy trying to get clear water or trying to get a breath. The swim seemed to go on forever and the crowd never seemed to thin out like it does at most races. I hit the boat ramp, glanced at my watch and saw that it read 38 mins...for a&nbsp;1.5k.&nbsp;Wha???﻿ I spotted the same&nbsp;people I usually come out of the water with and figured the course was miss-marked. I learned after the race that a buoy broke loose and floated away; some racers with GPS had the swim at 1.5 MILES. Oops.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4ouYyvJVEI/UnmvO8rcZoI/AAAAAAAABpY/1rFfP8WakEo/s1600/Ogden+Swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4ouYyvJVEI/UnmvO8rcZoI/AAAAAAAABpY/1rFfP8WakEo/s400/Ogden+Swim.jpg" width="300" zsa="true" /></a></div>&nbsp;Nothing to do, but roll with it. Onto the bike and my heart rate&nbsp;is JACKED. Going up the first climb and it feels like I'm moving in slow motion; almost going backward. I tried to hang on wheels, but the power just wasn't there. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVZKQJ3xxTU/UnmvfE973LI/AAAAAAAABps/UQcjFurgH7I/s1600/Ogden+bike+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVZKQJ3xxTU/UnmvfE973LI/AAAAAAAABps/UQcjFurgH7I/s400/Ogden+bike+1.jpg" width="300" zsa="true" /></a></div><br />I recovered, a bit, on the short downhill (bike course has a net UPhill) and hoped the legs would come around on the climb to Sardine Peak....nope. Seriously gassed way before the top and my stomach is cramping horribly. Finally at the top and I'm starting to get an altitude or dehydration headache. Great.What's worse is I&nbsp;can't descend like I to want because my stomach hurts too much. To add insult to injury, my chain over-shifted into my spokes about 1 mile from T2 forcing me to stop and work it&nbsp;out; easily costing me a few minutes. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1o_CqGu7o3s/Unmvgy1J24I/AAAAAAAABp0/C5wm9MmHqqA/s1600/Ogden+bike+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1o_CqGu7o3s/Unmvgy1J24I/AAAAAAAABp0/C5wm9MmHqqA/s400/Ogden+bike+2.jpg" width="300" zsa="true" /></a></div><br />I seriously thought about pulling the plug at T2. I was trashed and my stomach hurt as bad as it did in St George. The only thing that got me out was that I had spent too much time and money to give up here and walking 10k would "only" take 2 hours or so. Might as well slog it out.<br /><br />Lots of walking, a little jogging here and there, but mostly just managing my stomach pain. It's a&nbsp;shame, because the run course&nbsp;looked fun! I really wanted to run more of it, but&nbsp;my stupid stomach wouldn't let me. I was feeling pretty down on myself until I caught&nbsp;Anthony Snoble, who's always near the front of the race.&nbsp;Seems like everyone has a bad race from time-to-time and he said something to&nbsp;his friend that helped me feel a bit better: "I'm not going to beat myself up over one bad race."&nbsp;I felt&nbsp;a little better after&nbsp;that.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWSMHcGrZ2U/UnmvjlqdX6I/AAAAAAAABp8/_uaadAQ1egQ/s1600/Ogden+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWSMHcGrZ2U/UnmvjlqdX6I/AAAAAAAABp8/_uaadAQ1egQ/s400/Ogden+Run.jpg" width="300" zsa="true" /></a></div><br />Family photo! Brother Steve nabbed a Nationals&nbsp;invite thanks to a solid race at Tahoe.&nbsp;Racing with friends and family makes it way more fun!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYoKX9d-a0k/UnmvnVCi4yI/AAAAAAAABqE/lTCTWj84Ukc/s1600/Ogden+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYoKX9d-a0k/UnmvnVCi4yI/AAAAAAAABqE/lTCTWj84Ukc/s400/Ogden+2.jpg" width="300" zsa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As much as I whine and moan when races go sideways, I'm still incredibly lucky to do what I do and I love every horrible minute of it. Looking back, I can call 2013 a breakthrough season; I managed 2nd in my AG points for Xterra, got on the podium at 4/7 races and even pulled down an AG win. I think I've got a bead on the stomach thing and I've made some diet changes that seem to be helping a lot. It may or may not be related, but I came down with a massive cold the Monday after Nationals. It's hard to say if I was sick before and fighting it or if I caught it in the day after the race. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The good news is that I'm in a great position going into 2014. Better news is that 2013 isn't done yet. Not quite...﻿</div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-75356950578680193752013-10-15T15:57:00.002-07:002013-10-15T15:57:12.935-07:002013 Season Summary (Part II)Last post, I left off after a disappointing finish at Xterra West, but with time to fix some weaknesses before heading into 70.3 St George.<br /><br />I've only done one other 70.3, Oceanside, back in 2005. I was sure that the years of training since then would add up to a strong race. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SHTdd5whF9w/Ul2-NsTiM7I/AAAAAAAABnM/yFZHjJX7kcU/s1600/946814_10201050882738411_469837591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SHTdd5whF9w/Ul2-NsTiM7I/AAAAAAAABnM/yFZHjJX7kcU/s400/946814_10201050882738411_469837591_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Holly and I headed out early, did the pre-race registration thing and then dropped off the bike in transition. I rode the first part of the courde to get a feel for the climb out of the reservior. I forget just how huge WTC races are; 2000 people need lots of space...and lots of bathrooms.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pN5bfrE4EBo/Ul2_TyGGG2I/AAAAAAAABnY/D2otJFAWWrg/s1600/935780_169039659923628_887344584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pN5bfrE4EBo/Ul2_TyGGG2I/AAAAAAAABnY/D2otJFAWWrg/s400/935780_169039659923628_887344584_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿</div>&nbsp;After hearing the horror stories of how steep the bike course was, Holly and I decided to drive the course. I was glad we did, it's steep! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_77eNkNQplk/Ul2_VSBSCJI/AAAAAAAABng/2xRUVWH0zxg/s1600/945627_10201067331989632_1680050915_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_77eNkNQplk/Ul2_VSBSCJI/AAAAAAAABng/2xRUVWH0zxg/s400/945627_10201067331989632_1680050915_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Thankfully, it's also breathtakingly beautiful. So much that we stopped a few times to snap pictures. I can think of worse places to hold a 70.3.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVsWrGMG5Qk/Ul2_W0bPbDI/AAAAAAAABno/eHOmQbFrf94/s1600/946814_10201050882738411_469837591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVsWrGMG5Qk/Ul2_W0bPbDI/AAAAAAAABno/eHOmQbFrf94/s400/946814_10201050882738411_469837591_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Sadly, I don't have any photos of me during the race other than proofs on the <a href="http://www.finisherpix.com/photos/my-photos/currency/USD/pctrl/Photos/paction/search/pevent/ironman-703-st-george-2013/pbib/1442.html">web</a>. The swim is remote from T2 and Holly just wasn't able to get any photos of me. Basically, it went down like this:<br /><br />Up at 3:30; too nervous to eat anything solid. Had an Ensure as soon as I got up,1/2 cup of nasty hotel coffee, took care of morning business and hit the road for the Start/Finish. Dropped off run gear and got on the bus.<br /><br />Swim:<br />I started way outside to avoid the bumping and sprinting typical of a tri start. Swam solid, a little fatigue, but stuck to my stroke and felt like I kept focus well. No thoughts of "I'm tired" or "is this over, yet?" just head down and doing work. Late start meant lots of knuckle heads to swim around and not much in the way of drafting opportunities. <br /><br />33 mins by my watch, 34 mins official time. O-Side was 35 mins.<br /><br />Bike:<br />Smoked so many people in T1, it was comical. HR REALLY high coming out of the water, people hammering the climb out of the reservoir like a 40K. I stuck to my race plan and kept it mellow. Weather conditions were as good as one could hope for SW Utah in May. Started getting a side stitch close to the 40-mile mark. Took a plain water bottle from aid station 3, which&nbsp;jumped out on the speed bumps into Snow Canyon. Knew I'd need it so I stopped, rode back and picked it up. Easily a 3 minute eff up. Climb up Snow Canyon was gnarly and I had the WRONG cassette for sure. Wound up&nbsp;running 60-80 RPM's the whole way up and out of the saddle more than I would have liked. Hot and sweating buckets; definitely suffered through that section. The way back into town was a 30+ MPH smile fest. Awesome! Rocketed into T2 ready to do some damage, but side stitch had gotten worse and I was worried about running with it. Pounding usually makes it worse.<br />Run:<br />*sigh*<br />Pee break out of T2, grabbed my&nbsp;nutrition flask&nbsp;and hit it. Feeling the bike leg a bit, but stoked to&nbsp;throw down and see what I had. Only the side stitch got exponentially worse and worked it's way over to the left side too. I walked and jogged though the first 20 mins and then was down to just walking. Jamming my hand into my abdomen trying to work it out, sipping water. Nothing worked. Made it to aid station 3 and sat down in hopes it would work itself out, but no dice. Tried some coke, no help. Looked at my watch and saw I had been there for 45 minutes. The writing was on the wall at that point. The aid station captain had been checking on me every couple minutes and I finally worked up the courage to call it a day. Turning in&nbsp;that timing chip was really tough emotionally....<br /><br />Fortunately, I had a break planned after the race. Sice it was only May, I had plenty of time to lick my wounds,&nbsp;re-focus and nail what remained of the Xterra season. <br /><br />To be contuniued...Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-91037425181742324852013-10-04T16:21:00.002-07:002013-10-04T16:21:46.633-07:002013 Season Summary (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been severely lacking in the 'blogging department. Chalking it up to being "busy" sounds lame, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. A lot went on this past triathlon season, I had some really good races and some really bad ones. There was no central theme and I couldn't pinpoint what caused the wild performance swings. If anything, I performed best at low-key races where I just out to have a good time and trash myself. Point of fact, I crashed and burned at every priority race this year. Not good.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The early season was BUSY on all fronts. I wound up going away for a few weeks to San Luis Obispo for work training and then crammed back-to-back-to-back races into the end of March/ beginning of April. NOT ideal, but <a href="http://xterraplanet.com/index.html">Xterra</a> is a cruel mistress sometimes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/562635_10151500030854437_1277826290_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/562635_10151500030854437_1277826290_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The madness started with <a href="http://www.tbfracing.com/results/results/2013/xterra/results.html">Xterra REAL in Granite Bay, CA on 3/30</a>. Typical March conditions at Lake Folsom, COLD water (50 deg) and cool temps. Conditions that suit me just fine. That's me on the left side of the pic with the yellow cap showing under the orange one. Super-secret cold water tip: double cap! Keeps your head warm since latex doesn't transmit heat very well.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My swim was lackluster, as always, I moved up on the bike and lost a few spots on the run. I've come to accept that this is just how I race; I'm still working on the swim and run, but the bike has always been (and probably will always be) my strong leg.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the bike, I found myself "in the gap" between the really fast guys and the kind of fast guys. Someday, I hope to bridge that gap; it didn't happen this year....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/734449_10200867178505920_985330558_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/734449_10200867178505920_985330558_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got stomach cramps during the swim and they plagued me all race. Fact is, stomach cramps plagued me all season. Basically, I get a side stitch that doesn't go away and gets worse as the race progresses. Sometimes I can slow down and manage it and sometimes it's so bad I'm forced to walk ....or worse.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This time, things were on the manageable side and I wound up on the podium! First place was pro Damien Gonzales, so I got points for third. SCORE.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The very next weekend, I hit up a local race: <a href="http://www.geminitiming.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/xterratri_overall_131.htm">Xterra Renegade</a> at Lake Puddingstone. I really like this venue, but I don't consider it a technically challenging race course. Still, I planned on having fun, crushing it and making it home in time for a few beers. I ran into local pro MTB racer Chuck Jenkins in transition and knew the rest of my age group would be racing for second. Though Chuck races bikes, he's a rescue swimmer for the military and isn't afraid of a little lake swim. My only shot at a win was to drop the hammer in the swim, manage my losses on the bike and see if I could reel him in on the run. NOPE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555051_10200903917384369_940541126_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555051_10200903917384369_940541126_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I beat Chuck out of the water by a solid margin, but he blew by me on the bike. Dude even had time to put his headphones on....insult to injury.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't know it, but I had second place coming off the bike in front of Chris Clarke. Chris and I wound up battling all season, nice guy so no animosity at all. Chris got by me on the run and I wound up in third. Solid day for me; two races, two podiums and pint glass awards. Score. I'm in the top pic, the rest are Chuck.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/540734_553236678031984_294611895_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/540734_553236678031984_294611895_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The very next weekend, Holly and I rolled out to Vegas for <a href="http://www.jtltiming.com/results/x-veg.html">Xterra West Championships</a>. I was feeling good after my early season results and though I might have an outside chance at a World's Spot (top 3 age group), certainly an age group to 10.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was definitely hot, but not nearly as bad as Vegas is capable of. I took it smarter this year and didn't pre-ride 1/2 the course. I sat my happy ass in the hotel room in the air conditioning. Same crummy result, though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/10091_162926800534914_237190287_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/10091_162926800534914_237190287_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The swim felt long; wind picked up at the turn around and we swam straight into chop for most of the swim. Never felt comfortable with my stroke or breathing and took a pretty good beating the whole way. Tried to get to clean water, but knew I wasted too much energy here. Stomach cramps came on strong in the water; not good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/533725_162930870534507_575118489_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/533725_162930870534507_575118489_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/28184_162930960534498_1481079924_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/28184_162930960534498_1481079924_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bike was all about getting nutrition in and managing the stomach cramps. They changed the course since I raced there last; more ride-able, but MUCH more steep climbing. Since I'd been focused on training for the St George 70.3, I wasn't prepared for that much elevation gain. My legs were pretty smashed by lap two and my stomach cramps were very painful by that point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/533949_162945803866347_2045626584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/533949_162945803866347_2045626584_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't usually carry water bottles for 11k, but it was HOT and I was hurting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pros were finishing up by the time I even started the run; Lesley Patterson came flying by on her way to the finish as I was heading out.I'd given up hope of placing well by the time I started running and had transitioned to survival mode. Any kind of running hurt a LOT and I wound up walking most of the run course.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/558146_162960640531530_535980024_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/558146_162960640531530_535980024_n.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still, I sucked it up and trudged my way in. The salt stains and my facial expression tell the story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a solid first two races, this melt-down had me scratching my head. Luckily, I felt I had enough time before the St George 70.3 to shore up my weaknesses and come in strong.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be continued......</div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-22944127988508268602012-11-26T20:39:00.002-08:002012-11-26T21:29:04.311-08:00Triathlon Off-Season Tips and TricksIf you're like most athletes, you finished your last race a month or two ago and you're working on the butt-groove on your couch or adding a spare tire to your waistline. Pretty soon, however, you'll start getting that itch. You search the web, looking for a 10k run an open water swim or ANYTHING to scratch that racing itch. I've heard this time of the year called "the Dreamin' Season" because you're dreaming about next year and how great it could be. Here are a few things I've learned over the years that can help you turn that dream into a reality. Single sport athletes:&nbsp;do not despair for all of what follows&nbsp;apply&nbsp;you too.<br /><br /><em><strong>1) What's the plan, Stan?</strong></em><br /><br />Before you suit up and head out the door for&nbsp;your&nbsp;first workout of the season, you need to know what you're doing and why you're doing it. Every workout needs an articulable purpose and should move you toward peak fitness on race day. The key to being in your best shape when you need it is to have a plan.<br />Consider&nbsp;starting&nbsp;your season planning by identifying races where you want to perform your best at. My best advice here is choose races that excite you and even make you a little nervous. The more excited about I race I am, the harder I tend to train and race for it.<br /><br />Once you identify your race priorities, you should identify and write down a few performance goals you need to hit in training in order to perform at your best in races. Some examples are specific power goals on the bike, and specific paces during a swim or run test set. Make sure these have a&nbsp;measurable&nbsp;quantity and a date assigned to them so you stick to them. Example: aerobic 20k run in 90 mins by 12th week of training. Also, make sure you include&nbsp;Short -Term Objectives that help you work towards your larger goals. Smaller objectives like: stretch every day, go to yoga 2x per week, do strength training 2x per week, and complete 90% of workouts can keep you on track when you begin losing focus.<br /><br />Some final tips on planning: write down not only what you plan on doing, but what you've completed. Reviewing your log/journal at regular intervals provides a sense of accomplishment and helps with motivation. Writing your training down also provides you with a blueprint for success for future seasons, if things go well or can show you what not to do if things didn't go as planned.<br /><br /><i><b>2) Get your swoll on</b></i><br /><br />From a purely empirical perspective, strength training helps with my athletic performance. Off-season is the time to address any weaknesses that held you back last season. If you lack things like speed on the flats on the bike leg, power in the water, or hill climbing on the run, adding strength training can help address those issues.If hitting the gym isn't for you, there are plenty of alternative strength routines that can help improve performance. Personally, I prefer a suspension trainer to the gym for its affordability, ease of use and effectiveness in a short workout. Others have seen results with plyometrics, pilates, yoga, etc. Experiment and see which works best for you.<br /><br /><i><b>3) You are what you eat</b></i><br /><br />Off-season coincides with big eating holidays in the northern hemisphere. One of the biggest mistakes I see is athletes who stop training altogether in September, gain a lot of weight over the holidays and then start training after January 1st. You've lost too much fitness over the off-season, gained too much weight and your performance is the same year after year. Take a break, yes, but maintain some level of fitness and a healthy weight so you're not starting over every year. Definitely indulge a little in the all the goodness that the holidays have to offer, but have in your head that moderation is the key to a better season next year. <br /><br /><i><b>4) Slow is PRO</b></i><br /><br />One of the things elite athletes do better than "the rest of us" is they go slow when it's time to go slow. You've just emerged from your winter hibernation and your'e fired up to start training. So you log a bunch of hours, you're smoking your buddies in group rides by February, your early season data looks good and you're&nbsp;deliriously&nbsp;happy. Then you start losing interest, you skip workouts and by May or June you've all but quit. What happened? The next year you start your training even earlier only this time you get to April and you're burned out. This is a nasty cycle that I've been guilty of getting caught up in too. Pump the brakes, remember that it's VERY early right now. Remind yourself that you want to be fast at your next goal race and not killing it in February. I believe there is a finite amount of training and racing "energy" every athlete possess during a training year and you want to burn it slowly so there is enough to get you through the whole season. A mid-season break helps replenish this energy, but burn it all in the winter/early spring and you're on track for burn out. Take it easy early on. Save that energy for late in the season when your competition is burned out and take it to 'em.<br /><br /><i><b>6) If it fits, it ships</b></i><br /><br />Off-Season is the time to address equipment issues.If you've never had a professional bike fit, it might be time to get one. Bike fit becomes more critical the more time you spend in the saddle for your race and for time trialing. For triathlon, the goal is maximizing power output and aerodynamics&nbsp;simultaneously without leaving you too trashed to run. Getting a proper fit now allows your body time to get used to the position well before race day; ignoring a poor-fit can cause lead to a DNF. Don't let this happen to you.<br /><br />It's also time to correct any technique flaws in your swimming stroke or run mechanics. I thought my run mechanics were pretty solid, but had them looked at after I sought treatment for a&nbsp;cuboid&nbsp;sprain. My physical therapist watched me run, confirmed that my&nbsp;mechanics&nbsp;were solid, but suggested a few tweaks that dropped time off my mile splits without adding effort. Free speed!<br /><br />&nbsp;Bottom line, get your bike fit to you, have your run and swim mechanics looked at. Find a pro coach that has video so you can see the before and after because what it feels like you're doing and what you're actually doing may be vastly different.<br /><br /><i><b>7) BELIEVE IT</b></i><br /><br />Despite all your physical training and preparation, something on race day won't come out as planned and how you deal with that adversity&nbsp;dramatically affects your race. Fortunately, there are things you can do prior to race day to help you when things go sideways. During intervals, visualize yourself in the middle of a race, see&nbsp;yourself&nbsp;performing well or maybe chasing down your fiercest rival. Greek philosopher, Aristotle (?) said that to truly know something, you must believe it to be true. I feel the same way with fitness, in order to truly reach your potential you must BELIEVE that you have the capacity to perform at that level. Whatever goals you choose this season, you have to truly believe that you are capable of&nbsp;achieving&nbsp;them. I love analogies, and my favorite is this: "going for it" in a race is akin to throwing yourself off a cliff and hoping the mattress (your fitness) at the bottom is in the right spot and soft enough to catch you. You really have to trust your fitness to race at a high level and any self-doubt can hold you back from racing at your physical capabilities. You have to TRUST yourself and your fitness.<br /><br />I hope some of the tips above will help you in the coming season. I'm always happy to help out.<br />-EZippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-89305743102227717542012-08-06T21:23:00.002-07:002012-08-06T21:23:46.557-07:00Xterra Snow Valley Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apologies for not posting as much as I used to. Between work, a wedding, training and more, I have very little time for much else.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh yeah; I got married!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Holly and I tied the knot in June at Crystal Cove. Perfect weather, all our friends, delicious food and plenty of libations. Stoked to be married to such a wonderful woman.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-D_Q9SRc5g/UCCMb5w5e_I/AAAAAAAABkg/4alu5-ElTwo/s1600/wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-D_Q9SRc5g/UCCMb5w5e_I/AAAAAAAABkg/4alu5-ElTwo/s400/wedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Skipping ahead...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Money's always tight for us. I'm new at work, student loans are kicking my butt and there isn't any extra money for racing right now. I posted Friday on FB that I wasn't racing Snow Valley. I went to my brother-in-law's rehearsal dinner (another wedding!) and started in on a Chili Verde plate and a Kona Fire Rock. I ordered a second beer and got a call from a number I didn't recognize. It was Gary, the R.D. for snow Valley. He saw my FB post, took pity on me and offered to comp my race entry. His generosity completely humbled me and I struggled for words. I went back top the table, told Holly what had happened and she didn't hesitate: "You need to do it."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Less-than stellar race prep given I hadn't cleaned the bike in too long and the huge meal I'd just finished. Whatever; roll with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got up Saturday morning feeling like warmed-over death and headed straight for the coffee. Yeah EARLY. At least there's plenty of coffee in the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vfWNTHrlTs/UB_jvdd5XbI/AAAAAAAABjk/tsnGsi8OiPE/s1600/2012-08-04_04-02-03_556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vfWNTHrlTs/UB_jvdd5XbI/AAAAAAAABjk/tsnGsi8OiPE/s400/2012-08-04_04-02-03_556.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><br />I hit the road for the two-hour trek to Running Springs and rolled in around 6:30. I checked in and made back to my car just in time to see Trevor's truck roll into the parking lot.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyr7x1JpxuQ/UB_j8ZfuocI/AAAAAAAABjs/UqH5e4yVLHw/s1600/2012-08-04_06-56-10_446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyr7x1JpxuQ/UB_j8ZfuocI/AAAAAAAABjs/UqH5e4yVLHw/s400/2012-08-04_06-56-10_446.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Always stoked to see race friends at events; races are so much more fun when people you like show up.<br /><br />Even though I work at the beach, I feel more "at home" in the mountains. Days like Saturday sure help.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jz8cVHyD3rA/UB_kUB8ao7I/AAAAAAAABj8/gND2n_NLzUo/s1600/2012-08-04_13-09-34_612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jz8cVHyD3rA/UB_kUB8ao7I/AAAAAAAABj8/gND2n_NLzUo/s400/2012-08-04_13-09-34_612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I warmed up, chatted with Trevor a bit, set up T2 and headed up the mountain to the lake. It was getting warm fast and I broke a bit of a sweat, even riding easy. I had plenty of time so never had to rush. A big change from the days when I was 15 minutes late to everything.<br /><br />Wetsuit on, I swam around a bit and then waited for the start. Standing in the water, I felt a slight "tap, tap" on my right foot. Fish nibbling on my feet! Such a creepy feeling, but kind of neat that life is surviving in such a small lake.<br /><br />They announced the start was not far off, so I swam into the lake a bit (deep water start) and got a decent position; 3...2...1...GO!!<br /><br />Pretty mellow for a tri swim; only got smacked or half-drowned 4 or five times. I was really feeling the altitude and wound up backstroking twice to catch my breath. Couldn't get on feet for the life of me and zig-zagged like crazy. Not racing much has left my open-water skills severely lacking. I looked back at one point and didn't see too many people behind me. Crap. I managed the best I could but lost a lot of time. Good news is there's lots of room or improvement.<br /><br />I hit T1, jumped on the bike and started moving pretty well. I just focused on picking a smooth line, managing my effort at altitude and having FUN. I figured the longer course this year would eat people up later in the race and I was right. Second lap and guys are slowing down big time. I felt good, so I picked it up a bit. I made a pass coming over a small rise and hit a loose, downhill section off-line. The front tire washed out and I hit the ground. The rider next to me ran over a couple fingers before I yanked my hand back. Back on the bike in a flash, and passing more people.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--UUOJoBhomE/UB_kIqMZmjI/AAAAAAAABj0/0FnU9WnjxQQ/s1600/2012-08-04_11-56-49_458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--UUOJoBhomE/UB_kIqMZmjI/AAAAAAAABj0/0FnU9WnjxQQ/s400/2012-08-04_11-56-49_458.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><br />Pretty weak dirt rash...and now all of you know where my tattoo is.<br /><br />Off the bike, on to the run and still feeling pretty solid. Still passing lots of people, but no idea what place I was in because the points tri, sport tri and duathlon were all mixed together. Same strategy as the bike: head down, racing and having FUN. Tough Mudder left hay on some of the hills, which made things slick even when dry. Interesting.<br /><br />I kept waiting for the fatigue and it never came. Sure I was feeling it, but I didn't slow down nearly as much as other racers were. The base fitness is there just not the top-end speed. Yet.<br /><br />I finished up and saw my time was 2:31. No big deal! I came into the race with no expectations and just had a good time. Mission accomplished. I cleaned up, packed up and went to check results and eat my free burger. I figured I'd be mid-pack somewhere. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the results...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InP3aTei4I8/UB_kgkYyn7I/AAAAAAAABkE/c41Q0HDGqNw/s1600/2012-08-04_13-17-32_476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InP3aTei4I8/UB_kgkYyn7I/AAAAAAAABkE/c41Q0HDGqNw/s400/2012-08-04_13-17-32_476.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />My first win! I had hopes of maybe 5th in my age group, but a win never even crossed my mind! Blown away.<br /><br />I waited around for awards; no way would I miss stepping onto the top of the podium for my first time. Gary handed me my award: "On your ass and in first!"<br /><br />Winning doesn't suck! I was way off the overall (15 mins), but the points for the win added to the points I have from earlier in the season should mean a nationals invitation. WOW! I haven't qualified since 2008 and an invite would be huge after 3 seasons of injuries, poverty and the new job.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fz124kbaLK8/UB_kuiTJAvI/AAAAAAAABkM/C3GJPORxJMk/s1600/2012-08-04_13-28-31_85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fz124kbaLK8/UB_kuiTJAvI/AAAAAAAABkM/C3GJPORxJMk/s400/2012-08-04_13-28-31_85.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Still seems surreal. Wow. Just wow.<br /><br />-EZippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-61991443659975820942012-05-14T16:10:00.000-07:002012-05-14T16:10:13.812-07:00Pendulum Swing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lots went on this past month. There's enough stuff for me to have posted every week, but I never seem to take the time to sit down and put it all down. Such is life.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's late Spring moving on into Summer, which means the ocean is starting to warm up a bit. Warmer water means ocean swimming season is right around the corner. This past week, we put a buoy up in front of Lifeguard Headquarters.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQjxL_7Hy_o/T7CB3bbgDjI/AAAAAAAABdU/HKHRY2sRNcc/s1600/2012-05-10_19-31-51_801" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQjxL_7Hy_o/T7CB3bbgDjI/AAAAAAAABdU/HKHRY2sRNcc/s400/2012-05-10_19-31-51_801" width="400" /></a></div><br />If you race triathlon, you SHOULD be doing open water workouts when building up to a race. I realize not everyone has "warm" ocean temps like we do in So Cal, but you should take advantage if you do. Almost time for me to start doing some ocean stuff, the buoy looks tiny, but it's only 250 yards out; give or take.<br /><br />In other news, my best friend whom I've known since I was 11 took a job in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina flying helicopters for the Summer. Flying has always been his dream, but it's tough to say goodbye, even if just for a few months.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHAfc8KVw4g/T7CB3d97qKI/AAAAAAAABdY/TmHWMy90Jgc/s1600/2012-04-30_14-07-44_42" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHAfc8KVw4g/T7CB3d97qKI/AAAAAAAABdY/TmHWMy90Jgc/s400/2012-04-30_14-07-44_42" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;I had lunch with him before he left and this random bird kept begging for a french fry. It had some cool,&nbsp;iridescent feathers that didn't come out on camera. Any ideas what kind of bird it is?<br /><br />Friend and client Scott Holland stopped by my place for a quick ride while on his way to Santa Ynez for a race. He had some tire issues and I couldn't resist taking a photo.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4HiQnWB-zBE/T7CB3eCJSLI/AAAAAAAABd4/_YiIzC28X9k/s1600/2012-04-27_10-56-11_33" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4HiQnWB-zBE/T7CB3eCJSLI/AAAAAAAABd4/_YiIzC28X9k/s400/2012-04-27_10-56-11_33" width="221" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At least he's smiling about it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of racing, I toed the line at my second race of the season the Idyllwild Spring Challenge. I love this course and the vibe is always super chill, but I didn't feel up for it the morning of the race. I slept like crap and my training through April was total shizzle thanks to me logging a bunch of OT trying to pay for our wedding. In the end I went because: the course was awesome, the vibe is amazing and I really needed to reconnect with all my crazy racer friends I haven't seen in a long time thanks to work.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No huge race report here. I showed up with barely enough time to check in, kit up, mix bottles and make it to the start line. I was still filling bottles with 2 mins to start.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F264Haned3w/T7GARz6oobI/AAAAAAAABfg/QIhLQv7s7jI/s1600/ISC+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F264Haned3w/T7GARz6oobI/AAAAAAAABfg/QIhLQv7s7jI/s400/ISC+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;I forgot how FAST Cat 1 MTB starts are. Metallic taste in the mouth, legs felt like blocks of wood and I was, practically, blown by the top of the first climb. I'd reel guys in on the descents and they'd go right back by me on the next climb. The skills are there, but the fitness just isn't...yet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YztanbNSEcI/T7GARKgIaoI/AAAAAAAABfY/OJPTAJcyqQU/s1600/ISC+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YztanbNSEcI/T7GARKgIaoI/AAAAAAAABfY/OJPTAJcyqQU/s400/ISC+2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />Southridge climb. Sweating buckets. I look "soft" and it's clear I need to get lean and mean. No time like the present.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-glCtAMsPZko/T7GASRmIeII/AAAAAAAABfo/kl6KU-rD9Cs/s1600/ISC+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-glCtAMsPZko/T7GASRmIeII/AAAAAAAABfo/kl6KU-rD9Cs/s400/ISC+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;Finishing up. The "dirt goatee" is a testament to how dusty it is out there. I love racing there, though. LOVE IT.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8WFcZZ9NeqY/T7GAQmFnqmI/AAAAAAAABfQ/h377MWLmnO4/s1600/ISC+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8WFcZZ9NeqY/T7GAQmFnqmI/AAAAAAAABfQ/h377MWLmnO4/s400/ISC+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friend and client Ed Price raced open category and beat me by a few minutes. Stoked to see him come by me. Strong work, man.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fast forward to this past weekend where Holly went for her first 50-Mile Ultra Marathon. We bailed out of home Friday afternoon and drove down to the race start for the PCT 50. I got hooked on this route when I read Chuckie V's through-hiking 'blog from a couple years back. Seeing the trail markers gets me going for sure.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XwfAVwTxek/T7CB3UdImlI/AAAAAAAABds/3qEqYNY-4_g/s1600/2012-05-11_17-42-46_957" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XwfAVwTxek/T7CB3UdImlI/AAAAAAAABds/3qEqYNY-4_g/s400/2012-05-11_17-42-46_957" width="221" /></a></div>&nbsp;Right this way..<br /><br />We chatted with the other racers at the start and headed up to the Laguna Lodge. Deluxe&nbsp;accommodations, it ain't. "Rustic" is a good description. The decor is hideous and the TV is tiny, but you pay for the "ambiance" of staying in a mountain retreat.<br />&nbsp;<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLRZL594bto/T7CB3a5HSvI/AAAAAAAABeg/mBGopCPaiCU/s1600/2012-05-11_18-47-18_340" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLRZL594bto/T7CB3a5HSvI/AAAAAAAABeg/mBGopCPaiCU/s400/2012-05-11_18-47-18_340" width="400" /></a></div><br />Wood paneling and cheesy paintings of bears and deer screwed directly to the wall. Note the wall heater. Classy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bhJy0cVeeLo/T7CB3TDRMDI/AAAAAAAABeI/UnzOaOOHxBA/s1600/2012-05-11_18-33-28_41" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bhJy0cVeeLo/T7CB3TDRMDI/AAAAAAAABeI/UnzOaOOHxBA/s400/2012-05-11_18-33-28_41" width="221" /></a></div><br />I'm a small guy and I make the TV look small. At least we wouldn't be spending too much time in the room. It had the basics and that was good enough for us.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd_ydOrqJkE/T7CB3Vfe1OI/AAAAAAAABdg/emDz1oGq9oI/s1600/2012-05-11_18-35-40_712" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd_ydOrqJkE/T7CB3Vfe1OI/AAAAAAAABdg/emDz1oGq9oI/s400/2012-05-11_18-35-40_712" width="221" /></a></div><br />I hit "relax mode" by Pinot Glass #3. Ha! I tried and failed at lighting a fire because I bought hard wood instead of pine. Rookie move.<br /><br />Race morning came WAY too early. The "official" start is at 6, but they offer a 5 AM option for people who might struggle to make the cut-off times. Holly would start at 5.<br /><br />Lots of activity at the start.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxDmUaPMQ4k/T7CB3UQMxpI/AAAAAAAABeo/VnL6h1FQvMw/s1600/2012-05-12_04-59-01_49" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxDmUaPMQ4k/T7CB3UQMxpI/AAAAAAAABeo/VnL6h1FQvMw/s400/2012-05-12_04-59-01_49" width="400" /></a></div><br />Early morning in the mountains means COLD. The car said 37 degrees; note the rosy cheeks.It was cold.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JViIft2G-Ow/T7CB3bXq9yI/AAAAAAAABdc/edypFDUGF78/s1600/2012-05-12_04-58-37_852" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JViIft2G-Ow/T7CB3bXq9yI/AAAAAAAABdc/edypFDUGF78/s400/2012-05-12_04-58-37_852" width="221" /></a></div><br />All smiles! I gave Holly some last-minute advice and watched the line of headlamps bounce away into the darkness. I knew she'd be OK through the 1/2 way mark at Penny Pines and I wanted to be mostly &nbsp;conscious for the drive home. I headed back to the hotel and went back to sleep. I got back up at 8:30, ate breakfast, showered, locked the keys in the car (yeah, I did), waited for the local Fire Dept to unlock it and made it to the Penny Pines aid station with plenty of time for Holly to come in.<br /><br />She wasn't doing so great and said she wanted to be done already. I took her pack off and she sat down in the dirt and promptly started crying. She finally collected herself, I got her pack re-filled, she munched a few things from the aid station table and headed back out. The next 4.4 miles were out and back to the same aid station, so I went with her to make sure she was at least, physically, still OK.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1S5VibAcGNs/T7CB3SL9EnI/AAAAAAAABdo/nBHeVX2qmKw/s1600/2012-05-12_11-45-57_564" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1S5VibAcGNs/T7CB3SL9EnI/AAAAAAAABdo/nBHeVX2qmKw/s400/2012-05-12_11-45-57_564" width="400" /></a></div><br />This course is so beautiful! The dirty secret is that Ultra Running involves a lot more walking than you'd think.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Etzt-N-rttU/T7CB3Vk3diI/AAAAAAAABes/QL5A6IlpDhQ/s1600/2012-05-12_11-46-02_363" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Etzt-N-rttU/T7CB3Vk3diI/AAAAAAAABes/QL5A6IlpDhQ/s400/2012-05-12_11-46-02_363" width="400" /></a></div><br />Amazing views! I paced Holly back to Penny Pines and my mental math said she'd be close to the cut-off at mile 32.5. I wanted to stay with her, but wasn't sure I'd be able to find a ride back to our car if I did. Crews weren't allowed at the next aid station, but Holly was in a bad way and I wanted to make sure she'd be OK. I drove to the next aid station, parked the car on the highway and jogged in to the aid station.<br /><br />The cut-off was at 2:30. At 2:20 I headed up the course to look for her. About 2 miles in, I ran into her. She knew she wouldn't make the time cut-off at that point and I could see it in her face. I hugged her, she said "I'm sorry" and broke down crying in my arms. I couldn't help tearing up; seeing her so disappointed tore me up. We composed ourselves, I took her pack and we walked the 2-ish miles back to the aid station. She missed the time check by 30 minutes, BUT would have made the Noble Canyon 50k time cut-off with 30 minutes to spare. Harsh.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xftccdR549w/T7CB3QHBJ8I/AAAAAAAABfE/bETrBsb2kCk/s1600/2012-05-13_09-28-38_711" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xftccdR549w/T7CB3QHBJ8I/AAAAAAAABfE/bETrBsb2kCk/s400/2012-05-13_09-28-38_711" width="400" /></a></div><br />Ultra Marathon = Epic blisters.<br /><br />We packed up, got our stuff Holly dropped off at the first aid station and hit the road. I was worked from chasing her around at altitude in the heat (mid 80's!) and was glad for the extra sleep that morning. We spent the rest of the day feeding our collective "hunger monsters" and then plopped Holly into an ice bath.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-OInUNEJuk/T7CB3Su4FsI/AAAAAAAABec/AtOIuhAET10/s1600/2012-05-12_21-17-42_432" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-OInUNEJuk/T7CB3Su4FsI/AAAAAAAABec/AtOIuhAET10/s400/2012-05-12_21-17-42_432" width="221" /></a></div><br />SLUMMING. I wanted beer, but didn't want to get hammered like I do when drinking the "good stuff". <br /><br />A busy weekend, a busy month and June looks even worse with our wedding coming up. The good news is that I'm off probation on Sunday, which comes with a nice raise. Good stuff on the horizon and I'm excited for the next evolution. Cheers.<br /><br />-EZippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-85060390836177512792012-04-23T19:39:00.001-07:002012-04-23T19:55:36.474-07:00"All In"...(?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>&nbsp;I was leaving work today and my co-worker noticed my shirt had a triathlon clothing logo on it. He asked "you're kinda all in triathlon, aren't you?" I answered pretty quickly, "yeah, I am". Lately, however, I've been pretty busy planning a wedding and my work schedule is all over the clock. Life stuff has topped the priority list for the last month and I'm starting to get a bit grumpy about it. I can feel the pendulum starting to swing back toward the fitness side of things, which is just how I like it.<br /><br />If you follow me on social media, you know I got the triathlon season started at Xterra Renegade in San Dimas back at the end of March. There's not much to tell about it: I went hard, but didn't have the right fitness to post the results I wanted. I scored points for the series and blew the cobwebs off the race skills, but I came up way short compared to the guys out front. Huge chunks of time to make up and it's a bit daunting. Results <a href="http://www.geminitiming.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/xterra_tri_fl_122.htm">here</a>.<br /><br />For those of you who enjoy the outdoors, like I do here's a reminder to watch where you're stepping...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGeMjLxl6BE/T5X1qn6xhvI/AAAAAAAABZ8/2yQZvLT098k/s1600/2012-04-17_12-13-58_401" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGeMjLxl6BE/T5X1qn6xhvI/AAAAAAAABZ8/2yQZvLT098k/s400/2012-04-17_12-13-58_401" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Good looking Pacific Rattlesnake. The weather is warming up and they're out looking for tasty squirrels to munch on. Leave 'em alone and they'll slither away. This one high-tailed it shortly after this photo.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On to current events! This past weekend, Holly and I headed out to Vegas for the Challenge Cup Relay (Baker to Vegas as it is more commonly known). It's a running relay that covers 120 miles. Nearly 300 20-person teams vie for bragging rights that last until next year's race. I found out about it roughly 11 years ago, but didn't have a chance to race it until this year. When I heard State Parks wanted to field a team, I jumped at the chance and threw my hat in the ring. This was in the works for roughly a year and I was excited to be on a team. FINALLY.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Holly and I woke up fairly early Saturday morning, finished packing her roller skate (Matrix) and hit the road. The drive out to Vegas is rarely any fun. There's always traffic and this weekend arrived with record temps. The car thermometer showed 91-105 degrees throughout the drive. Great...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdjeNFE7YGY/T5X1qiZdOdI/AAAAAAAABaQ/l23Gv0bAZnc/s1600/2012-04-21_11-01-29_624" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdjeNFE7YGY/T5X1qiZdOdI/AAAAAAAABaQ/l23Gv0bAZnc/s400/2012-04-21_11-01-29_624" width="400" /></a></div><br />I.E. anyone?<br /><br />Grrrr.....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1YELvXkpl4/T5X1qpGhhnI/AAAAAAAABaM/X-MQzIhe5tQ/s1600/2012-04-21_13-17-27_241" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1YELvXkpl4/T5X1qpGhhnI/AAAAAAAABaM/X-MQzIhe5tQ/s400/2012-04-21_13-17-27_241" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For all my drum corps friends...&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZqetCLu4iA/T5X1qi8y7OI/AAAAAAAABak/BRmShWbO1FM/s1600/2012-04-21_14-12-47_962" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZqetCLu4iA/T5X1qi8y7OI/AAAAAAAABak/BRmShWbO1FM/s400/2012-04-21_14-12-47_962" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Our buses used to break down at Whiskey Pete's almost on cue. I still get anxious near state line and breathe a sigh of relief when I pass by and the car keeps running. Hilarious!<br /><br />More desert. Woo...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxvbuAOlOKY/T5X1qn36iEI/AAAAAAAABaE/YzGrhzwYEwA/s1600/2012-04-21_13-17-20_305" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxvbuAOlOKY/T5X1qn36iEI/AAAAAAAABaE/YzGrhzwYEwA/s400/2012-04-21_13-17-20_305" width="400" /></a></div><br />We rolled in around 3. Traffic in Vegas ALWAYS sucks. Ick.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4A-7_uVf6Aw/T5X3JJ3m_yI/AAAAAAAABbA/EPmAy0QpTrU/s1600/DSCF0266%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4A-7_uVf6Aw/T5X3JJ3m_yI/AAAAAAAABbA/EPmAy0QpTrU/s400/DSCF0266%255B1%255D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We checked in to our "deluxe&nbsp;accommodations" and cranked the A/C. Holly was in vacation mode. "If there's a pool, I'm laying by it." Nice water fall and "grotto", but the screaming kids kinda ruined it for us. I was getting hot and remembered I still had my running leg to go, so I bailed on the pool and headed back to the room for a nap.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGB7tZ4b87g/T5X4AbamkrI/AAAAAAAABbk/7IMiCqi-7Rc/s1600/DSCF0269%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGB7tZ4b87g/T5X4AbamkrI/AAAAAAAABbk/7IMiCqi-7Rc/s320/DSCF0269%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><br />Bathing Beauty. Hopefully, I won't get in too much trouble for posting the swim suit picture. Tough luck, guys; she's all mine.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0Mez0IWWAg/T5X3gBLbZKI/AAAAAAAABbQ/ED2Y8MWhkII/s1600/DSCF0268%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0Mez0IWWAg/T5X3gBLbZKI/AAAAAAAABbQ/ED2Y8MWhkII/s320/DSCF0268%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><br />Sexy and I know it (sorry, had to).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYtuyKw86_4/T5X3SiqoLFI/AAAAAAAABbI/KqPEdDQiH4k/s1600/DSCF0267%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYtuyKw86_4/T5X3SiqoLFI/AAAAAAAABbI/KqPEdDQiH4k/s320/DSCF0267%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I failed at the nap part and slept for all of 20 minutes. Staying in the A/C was definitely the right move, though.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ordered dinner from some Italian take-out place. I ordered the Calzone and it showed up in a&nbsp;pizza&nbsp;box, it was so huge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3WCnSxb6VhQ/T5X1quB4FwI/AAAAAAAABaA/C7PoPMJF8M4/s1600/2012-04-21_19-02-45_224" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3WCnSxb6VhQ/T5X1quB4FwI/AAAAAAAABaA/C7PoPMJF8M4/s400/2012-04-21_19-02-45_224" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, the food was terrible and we both barely ate. Usually I go to a restaurant chain I trust or &nbsp;get a room with a kitchenette and pack my own food. I paid for not following my own rules with a dicey stomach for the next 12 hours or so.&nbsp;</div><br />We eventually met up with the other guys in my "crew" and headed out to the course. Our team started at 5PM and we were broken up into 4 groups to make logistics a bit smoother. Fact is, getting 20 guys to their stages over a 13-24 hour race is a huge undertaking and takes a lot of communication. Add spotty cell reception to that (it IS the desert, afterall) and you can imagine how much planning this thing takes.<br /><br />We dropped Brian off for his leg and drove over to stage me for leg 13. It doesn't look that bad on paper; 7 miles and a net 300' gain. I warmed up, but kept it short because it was still 75 degrees. After a lot of waiting, they called that our team was a mile out. Butterflies...HR jacked... LED vest on...then our team number over the megaphone (TWO SIXTY EIGHT!!!). Brian bursts into the harsh circle of light at the check station. He waves the baton over the timing mat and I hear the "beep". Brian thrusts the baton at me, I grab it and sprint into the darkness (7 miles, man. Settle down).<br /><br />Warm, dry headwind in my face and I start to get cotton mouth from the dry air and the adrenaline. I'm working hard climbing the hill into the wind, but I can feel I'm not going too fast. Occasional glances at my GPS watch tell me the what I already know: heart rate is sky-high and my pace isn't so stellar (cadence, firm core, RELAX!). The support vehicle pulls next to me:<br /><br />"want your splits?" &nbsp; <br />Nah, I got it (pointing to my watch), thanks.<br /><br />They offer me water a few times. I shrug it off at first, but eventually sip a little just to wet my mouth. A little past the half-way point, I hear Co-Captain Darby's disembodied voice from inside the van:<br /><br />"You're doing great, man. You look <i>solid</i>."<br />Thanks, man.<br />"We're in second right now" (mind reeling: wha..?!)<br />"That guy in front of is in first"<br />Seriously!?<br />"Yeah!"<br /><br />(pause)<br /><br />Gimme two to go...<br /><br />The adrenaline surges again and I feel the road flatten out a bit. My pace quickens and I can see I'm gaining on the lead. I'm trying hard to reign in my enthusiasm to save some energy. Soon after, I hear &nbsp; a voice from the van:<br /><br />"Two to go, Eric."<br />Game. ON.<br /><br />I ride the adrenaline surge and let the legs go like they want. I steal glances at my GPS watch and see my pace dropping rapidly. I'm taking huge time out of the lead. I can see the small light at the one mile radio check and the larger one at the check point. (go, man. GO)<br /><br />Last mile. It burns. My legs are getting tired, but I'm almost to the exchange and almost to the leader. Last 200 yards....back into the searing light of the exchange. I pass the baton over the timing mat *BEEP*, thrust the baton at James and it's over as fast as it began.<br /><br />Unintelligible cheers from the van as it drives past to follow James. Holly tells me I was about 60 secs from catching the leader. So close.<br /><br />We hopscotch to the end of stage 15 and meet the stages 16-20 crew. Daniel hands off to Jack and we head back into town. Back to the hotel by 5:30, all of 2 hours of sleep and then off to meet the team for a quick group photo.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLG6m-mLctA/T5X4UwEOj_I/AAAAAAAABb0/ww3V5nru434/s1600/DSCF0270%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLG6m-mLctA/T5X4UwEOj_I/AAAAAAAABb0/ww3V5nru434/s320/DSCF0270%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and then a 6-hour drive home in Sunday traffic. Balls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Turns out we wound up second in our category and <a href="http://www.bakervegas.com/">13th overall</a>. Not bad for a 4-year hiatus and 14 race rookies! The internet noise is that quite a few of the guys are fired up for next year. Bring it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-E&nbsp;</div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-18660432537742024432012-02-27T15:08:00.001-08:002012-02-27T15:08:49.588-08:00Love..Hate...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a triathlete. As a "jack of all trades, master of none" it suits me right down to the bone. &nbsp;I might not be a super-stud at any one genre, but being mediocre at three sports works out well for me. For whatever reason, I'm the most "mediocre" at swimming. I think the fact that swimming is SO technique-dependent makes the progress frustratingly slow and lots of very hard work only produces minimal time gains in a race. For me, anyway...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I LOVE riding my mountain bike. I'm getting pretty darn good at running and I actually like doing it where I once dreaded it. I'm not fond of swimming. Maybe that's not entirely correct. I'm good in open water, better than most with my&nbsp;lifeguarding&nbsp;and surf experience. I'm always playing catch up coming out of the water and it's a LOT frustrating.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You've heard me piss and moan about my city pool (small, crowded, odd hours). When we moved in back in June, I was excited to hear the city was opening a brand new, Olympic-sized pool. I waited for 6 months only to have the opening delayed a month so the water slide could be installed. Killing me...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's FINALLY HERE.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DhBQrPUsaho/T0wDODkWp7I/AAAAAAAABUs/yIT1DsDZigU/s1600/2012-02-27_14-07-36_439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DhBQrPUsaho/T0wDODkWp7I/AAAAAAAABUs/yIT1DsDZigU/s640/2012-02-27_14-07-36_439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look! It's a REAL POOL!!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5MBDbmgS_M/T0wC5S5TL8I/AAAAAAAABUk/FiauhJSxYYM/s1600/2012-02-27_14-06-19_714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5MBDbmgS_M/T0wC5S5TL8I/AAAAAAAABUk/FiauhJSxYYM/s640/2012-02-27_14-06-19_714.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're looking at the wet deck and thinking "who swims in the rain?" you're totally blowing it. Rain swims are the BEST.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More good news: long course (meters) on Tues and Thursday mornings. YES!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bad part? No suit dryers. LAME, but I'll get over it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ki2qd0KUUao/T0wDXEN6ONI/AAAAAAAABU0/APGs4kJY-AU/s1600/2012-02-27_14-08-31_674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ki2qd0KUUao/T0wDXEN6ONI/AAAAAAAABU0/APGs4kJY-AU/s640/2012-02-27_14-08-31_674.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More good stuff. The pool is part of a huge sports park. Included with the park is a 1-mile running track that snakes its way through and around the pool and fields. A PERFECT spot to run hard. I get bored running around a 400 meter track lap after lap and this feels like a great alternative. I tested it out Sunday and dug it big time. Lots of dogs and rug rats on the trails. It's funny how people miss or ignore the big ass sign at the front that says "No Dogs Allowed in This Park".&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nl2TywIdGwo/T0wDuwoA7FI/AAAAAAAABU8/JsDsrlVMi2I/s1600/2012-02-27_14-10-29_279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nl2TywIdGwo/T0wDuwoA7FI/AAAAAAAABU8/JsDsrlVMi2I/s640/2012-02-27_14-10-29_279.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's the pre-requisite ball-sports fields (Soccer, Football, Baseball). I was stoked to see the High School Lacrosse team suiting up for practice. Take a closer look; that's TURF people. Can you say barefoot strides? Yes, please!&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm thrilled to have this open a mere 5 minutes from my house and parking is even free. Add in that the pool now has lap swim all day and I couldn't be happier...except for the suit dryer thing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First Xterra race the last weekend in March. Lots of "wet time" needed between now and then. Glub, glub.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-E</span></div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-30613905645509711782012-02-21T19:52:00.000-08:002012-02-21T19:52:08.339-08:00Why?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite all the tips and tricks I've learned during my years as an athlete, student, coach etc. the one thing I cannot answer for my athletes is "why?". Why do you do it? What gets you out the door for a workout wh</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">en it's:&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-early</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-late</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-cold</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-dark</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-windy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-rainy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or when you're tired and just can't imagine doing anything more than plopping down on the couch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I might seem odd, but workouts are mentally refreshing for me. For a couple hours every day (longer on big rides like I did today) I relax my mind and let it wander to wherever it wants. I come up with some strange ideas, let me tell you. Today I wondered what it would take to race Xterra on a single speed. Random, I know.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My work schedule is decidedly non-traditional and I wind up doing my longest rides in the middle of the week. Thankfully, Orange County abuts the Santa Ana Mountains; a perfect spot to get away for a few hours. I started at Trabuco Creek Road and headed through O'Neil Regional Park to Harding Truck Trail. As much as this climb is probably "good for me" it's 9 miles of hurt.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I46HgKkhay4/T0RGLnC7FSI/AAAAAAAABS0/bhhp4CYLaYI/s1600/2012-02-21_12-17-58_810.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I46HgKkhay4/T0RGLnC7FSI/AAAAAAAABS0/bhhp4CYLaYI/s640/2012-02-21_12-17-58_810.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm always happy to see the gate that marks the top. It's always a little bitter-sweet 'cause there's still a good chunk to go until the real top, Santiago Peak.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHH-9t8XVqQ/T0RGjT8n0pI/AAAAAAAABS8/ER2s4duftkE/s1600/2012-02-21_13-45-11_392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHH-9t8XVqQ/T0RGjT8n0pI/AAAAAAAABS8/ER2s4duftkE/s640/2012-02-21_13-45-11_392.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thar she blows! Of the two times I've ridden The Vision Quest, this view always makes me want to cry a little. Seeing the climb to the peak laid out before you like this is pretty disheartening given that your'e 30-something miles into a 56 mile race. Ouch.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the warm temps at the start, it was cool enough that I pulled on my arm warmers. I was glad to have them.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pohqUoZegQQ/T0RGzr5G7oI/AAAAAAAABTE/wbdAzuJNKmg/s1600/2012-02-21_14-10-46_870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pohqUoZegQQ/T0RGzr5G7oI/AAAAAAAABTE/wbdAzuJNKmg/s640/2012-02-21_14-10-46_870.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joplin Trail Drop-In. I think I rode this trail twice. It's just super-steep and techy. Maybe it's been worked on and it's better, but I don't have fond memories from riding it. Moving on. Nothing to see here.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwOPCIOdNCg/T0RHRSk9eGI/AAAAAAAABTM/aLTrhsvFw4E/s1600/2012-02-21_14-15-27_222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwOPCIOdNCg/T0RHRSk9eGI/AAAAAAAABTM/aLTrhsvFw4E/s640/2012-02-21_14-15-27_222.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got a little "bonky" on the way up to the peak, but managed to push through. Once on the shady side of the peak, I was treated to a rare sight in So Cal, SNOW! Ok, it was mostly ice, but it's still a bit of a treat to have snow up there.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pvF_jahiLs/T0RHoEYG7YI/AAAAAAAABTU/I3Somu41jWU/s1600/2012-02-21_14-38-56_975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pvF_jahiLs/T0RHoEYG7YI/AAAAAAAABTU/I3Somu41jWU/s640/2012-02-21_14-38-56_975.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clear enough to get some nice views of the Inland Empire.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWWh7AALiUI/T0RSfKjFnJI/AAAAAAAABUc/AS1dACtX7U0/s1600/2012-02-21_14-39-01_915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWWh7AALiUI/T0RSfKjFnJI/AAAAAAAABUc/AS1dACtX7U0/s640/2012-02-21_14-39-01_915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did I mention the ice part? It got a little dicey in spots. I stayed upright, though. I'm like a Cheetah, baby.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E9FCwE-engQ/T0RITa398BI/AAAAAAAABTc/7XRDAg2_fto/s1600/2012-02-21_14-41-04_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E9FCwE-engQ/T0RITa398BI/AAAAAAAABTc/7XRDAg2_fto/s640/2012-02-21_14-41-04_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brrr...&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1RHS9q-_5sQ/T0RIjUBIvYI/AAAAAAAABTk/ZmSPJbaF2-Q/s1600/2012-02-21_14-41-09_86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1RHS9q-_5sQ/T0RIjUBIvYI/AAAAAAAABTk/ZmSPJbaF2-Q/s640/2012-02-21_14-41-09_86.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfect day! I got a late start (am I EVER on time?) and the length of my shadow told me it was time to press on.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y9V4MeK1h9U/T0RJMvYZwyI/AAAAAAAABT0/un8_W_kTIAU/s1600/2012-02-21_14-46-02_757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y9V4MeK1h9U/T0RJMvYZwyI/AAAAAAAABT0/un8_W_kTIAU/s640/2012-02-21_14-46-02_757.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right this way...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I liked it better when the cairn was smaller.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOXjuumFVS8/T0RI64GB2tI/AAAAAAAABTs/JSt7x5rs-gA/s1600/2012-02-21_14-45-58_539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOXjuumFVS8/T0RI64GB2tI/AAAAAAAABTs/JSt7x5rs-gA/s640/2012-02-21_14-45-58_539.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rockin' the Rodder kit. Represent, fool.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fNWqrG7bJ8/T0RJR6SqWAI/AAAAAAAABUE/zlt9IklGOUg/s1600/2012-02-21_14-47-14_606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fNWqrG7bJ8/T0RJR6SqWAI/AAAAAAAABUE/zlt9IklGOUg/s640/2012-02-21_14-47-14_606.jpg" width="475" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's easy to forget I live so close to such an amazing wilderness area like this. If your'e&nbsp;skeptical&nbsp;about that wild part, I talked to a Forest Ranger volunteer a week or so ago who told me the MTN Lion experts estimate there are 30-40 cats living in the Santa Ana Mountains at any given time. RAD! Glad to hear they're still making it.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8Z5tfy36_k/T0RJuCCHtgI/AAAAAAAABUM/Si6n_-AdP1I/s1600/2012-02-21_15-29-22_870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8Z5tfy36_k/T0RJuCCHtgI/AAAAAAAABUM/Si6n_-AdP1I/s640/2012-02-21_15-29-22_870.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Post ride refuel! That's how I roll, people.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsTmiv_UX-Q/T0RKEJv0aJI/AAAAAAAABUU/RcOFIZIV1tE/s1600/2012-02-21_16-51-24_346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsTmiv_UX-Q/T0RKEJv0aJI/AAAAAAAABUU/RcOFIZIV1tE/s640/2012-02-21_16-51-24_346.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't blame me if you go out and get one. I won't judge you, either.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-E</span>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-20683427324665240312011-11-07T08:50:00.000-08:002011-11-07T08:50:06.883-08:00SJC Enduro 2011Trying to post to the 'blog once a week. Failing so far....<br /><br />Last weekend, I rode the <a href="http://sjcenduro.wordpress.com/">San Jacinto Enduro</a>. I you've never heard of it, that's the idea. It's one of those under-the-radar, unsupported "rides" that keeps it's street cred by staying low-key. There are no entry fees and the start list is selective to stay under the limit for a permitted event in the National Forest. It showcases all the best trails Idyllwild has to offer and challenges even very strong riders. The "management" at the start of the ride said "It's a perfect excuse to ride your bike all day in the mountains; and that's a pretty cool thing."<br /><br />Word.<br /><br />I RSVP'd for the Enduro last year, but couldn't make it since I was on lockdown in Monterey. This year, I was going no matter what:<br /><br />I broke my geared bike back in June; I can't seem to find a replacement part and I'm not buying new wheels for a bike I don't plan on riding any more...looks like I'd be riding the single speed. I was still field training for work and putting in huge hours when I RSVP'd for the start list. I got in as much training as I could ,but my&nbsp;preparation was still less-than-adequate; pacing would be key. The total ride is 78 miles and approximately 11k feet of climbing, however, my longest ride on the single speed had only been less than half of that. I was worried for sure. Since the ride was divided into two loops, I figured I'd ride the first one conservatively and make the decision about loop two at that point. &nbsp;I soon found out that turned out to be a popular game plan with the majority of the field.<br /><br />I could only get race day off, which meant driving up Friday night after work. Ugh. I jammed home, threw the rest of my &nbsp;gear in Holly's car (girl packed most of it by herself!) and we hit the road. We grabbed dinner on the road, rolled into the campgrounds around 10 , unpacked and set up in the cold dark and crashed into the tent.<br /><br />Race start was 6AM and that meant a 5-ish wake up, meh. I'm NOT a morning person. Too cold to mess with coffee, I chugged an Ensure, mixed my nutrition bottles and shivered while prepping the bike and my gear. I forgot to mention, this ride is totally unsupported; no aid stations, no SAG, no rescue crew and no course markings. You get maps and a "cue sheet" that details the route...that's it.<br /><br />I climbed back into the tent, gave Holly a kiss on the cheek and rolled down to the start: hands painful and going numb with the feet following soon after. I signed in, someone sang the National Anthem incredibly well for the early hour and near-freezing temps and a voice in the dark counted down..."GO!" We were off.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-dV1dCTbRT4?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br />Honestly, the stuff in the dark is a total blur. I vaguely remember: getting dropped on the hwy (geared out on the single speed, legs felt like blocks of wood) climbing for the first hour, incredible pain as my hands began defrosting and the most amazing sunrise I've seen in a long time. A sketchy fire-road descent into Hemet, a water stop at a fire station, and the arduous climb back into Mountain Center. The first 20 miles of near-boredom stand in sharp contrast with some of the most amazing single-track trails I've ever ridden. I've ridden these trails before, but in the reverse direction. It's way better this way. Friggin' sweet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/sOHdk3M0yW0?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br />I finished up loop one (45 miles and about 8k feet of climbing) at about 11:37 or 5:32 of riding. The most time I've spent on the single speed by about 20 miles and 2.5 hours. My quads were trying to cramp the last 5 miles, loop two looked like it would take another 3.5 hours and Holly was sitting at the campsite by herself. I thought about how I would feel if I pulled the plug after loop one and made a quick physical assessment; I felt like I could definitely ride loop two, but couldn't think of any reasons to keep going. It would be nice to say I finished the whole thing, but I had gotten everything out of the ride that I wanted to when I started: rode some new dirt, made some new friends and had a blast riding some amazing trails.<br /><br />Mission accomplished.<br /><br />Videos courtesy of Chris Branson and "My Idyllwild".<br /><br />-EZippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-70605087663929333612011-10-24T15:01:00.000-07:002011-10-24T15:01:15.825-07:00Shake it Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know: I'm averaging about one 'blog update a month. I'm sure that both of you who read my 'blog are crushed. I'm sorry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I certainly paid my dues over the past 5 years or so. It's about time for things to go my way for a while. I'm finally done training for work. The cut me loose and I've been working by myself for nearly a month now. The freedom to do what I want is nice, but it certainly helped having another opinion around when things got sticky. I'm muddling through.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People always stop me and remark about what a great job I have. It's way better than sitting in a cubicle all day, but long hours sitting in a truck and dealing with the "bad" part of the population keep it from feeling like a permanent vacation. Nice views out my office window, though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RVPS_n_DQmc/TqXUBCEhIgI/AAAAAAAABRs/cNtTDGrOQ2c/s1600/Camera+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RVPS_n_DQmc/TqXUBCEhIgI/AAAAAAAABRs/cNtTDGrOQ2c/s320/Camera+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now that I'm getting on my feet financially, Holly and I can afford to eat a little better. I splurged a while back and bought a cast-iron grill pan. It makes AWESOME steaks and heats up way faster than a grill does. It smokes up the house a good bit, but I'll take it in exchange for some par-boiled and grilled artichokes. They came out amazing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jewsSsX4wd4/TqXTvnYNF5I/AAAAAAAABRQ/DBa8TnJR11I/s1600/Camera+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jewsSsX4wd4/TqXTvnYNF5I/AAAAAAAABRQ/DBa8TnJR11I/s320/Camera+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It's getting on into Winter, which means bigger surf and big changes on the beach. That last storm that rolled through stripped a LOT of sand off the beach. That's a full-size truck and a 3' sand berm.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E46A9b2EANI/TqXUQTUOnGI/AAAAAAAABR0/_Qs1XmDQ-Xc/s1600/Camera+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E46A9b2EANI/TqXUQTUOnGI/AAAAAAAABR0/_Qs1XmDQ-Xc/s320/Camera+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Every so often, I get to take part in some neat events that most people never get to see. The local marine wildlife rescue called asking if they could release a sea-lion on our beach. I was happy to help out.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOGY1u4bb4U/TqXURv54fQI/AAAAAAAABR8/53kYmV8T6QY/s1600/Camera+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOGY1u4bb4U/TqXURv54fQI/AAAAAAAABR8/53kYmV8T6QY/s320/Camera+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Alas, the 4WD on their truck decided it was a good day to give up and they were soon stuck in the sand. Despite airing the tires WAY down and digging the truck out several times. the truck wan't going anywhere. I asked if they wanted me to call a tow-truck and they said they had called "Jeep Rescue". I sat in my truck watching the waves roll lazily in and expecting to hear the tell-tale sound of a diesel tow-truck. Imagine my surprise when I heard the distinctive rumble of a small-block V-8. I turned around in time to see this amazing vehicle making it's way down the ramp.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oQbg8OmCoQ/TqXUSa_ykQI/AAAAAAAABSE/KY42rwullN0/s1600/Camera+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oQbg8OmCoQ/TqXUSa_ykQI/AAAAAAAABSE/KY42rwullN0/s320/Camera+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />That's a 1977 Jeep Cherokee on <b>47" tires. </b>They&nbsp;affectionately&nbsp;called it "Matilda".<br /><br />I totally want one..<br /><br />"Matilda" had wildlife rescue un-stuck in no time at all and I went back to making sure the beach was in the chill condition I left it in. I got a radio call about a "sick sea lion"on the beach a mere 1/4 mile from where they released one earlier in the day. Coincidence. No way. Same friggin' animal.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_QnLpb8aWM/TqXUXocn0OI/AAAAAAAABSM/SxJMb5ZFnwo/s1600/Camera+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_QnLpb8aWM/TqXUXocn0OI/AAAAAAAABSM/SxJMb5ZFnwo/s320/Camera+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Pain in the A$$! I spent the next several hours shooing people away from it:<br /><br />"No, you can't roll it back into the ocean."<br />"Yes, it's fine."<br /><br />And so on...<br /><br />For the record, they're like 300-lb dogs with a nasty disposition and a worse bite. Ask any <i>real</i> surfer or diver about sea lions if you don't believe me.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiqWkGIJB8w/TqXT-2BxWuI/AAAAAAAABRc/fqXJuOO9h10/s1600/Camera+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiqWkGIJB8w/TqXT-2BxWuI/AAAAAAAABRc/fqXJuOO9h10/s320/Camera+002.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />State Mountain Bike Championships were a few weeks ago. I had the day off and went down to cheer for some athletes and re-connect with some enduro-friends. Kerry had a solid race in Cat 2 after being on a boat for 9 months. His second ever race in Cat2 after "graduating" from Clydesdales (200lb+). A feat in and of itself; his weight loss over the past year inspires me. Awesome job!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CD1kZKtCkhs/TqXT_-feo4I/AAAAAAAABRk/qSbjn97_iHM/s1600/Camera+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CD1kZKtCkhs/TqXT_-feo4I/AAAAAAAABRk/qSbjn97_iHM/s320/Camera+003.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />Not to be outdone, John Dang stayed strong, despite the sweltering heat, and pulled down the win. I bet that State Champion Jersey is going to look great on him. I can only imagine how good it must feel pulling one on. Sweet!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9R9_ByebEg/TqXTvfdF24I/AAAAAAAABRM/rrNzmesW9as/s1600/Camera+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9R9_ByebEg/TqXTvfdF24I/AAAAAAAABRM/rrNzmesW9as/s320/Camera+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Last week I celebrated my 36th birthday. Mom and Da originally wanted Holly and I to come over for dinner, but sprung an all-expense paid Disneyland trip on us instead. WIN. A fairly crowded day, but we hung in there and got to all the "good" rides. I love Haunted Mansion all dressed up as "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and Space Mountain never disappoints. The 3-D version of Star Tours made us both wanna hurl. It never did before, I think it has something to do with the 3-D glasses. Bummer.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RsLZCBLeLHs/TqXTu7cFOCI/AAAAAAAABRE/REzBMr8PJDw/s1600/Camera+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RsLZCBLeLHs/TqXTu7cFOCI/AAAAAAAABRE/REzBMr8PJDw/s320/Camera+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;Last, but certainly not least, Holly bought me a stove-top espresso maker for my birthday. French Press coffee is rad, but it's too much liquid so early in the morning. I had a theory that the diuretic effect was from all the liquid and not the caffeine. For $25, it was worth the experiment. I was right! All the buzz without all the bathroom stops...and it makes amazing espresso. I called my sister to brag and it turns out both she and mom have had one for almost a year. Thanks for sharing! Sheesh!<br /><br />Anyway. I'm easing back into training and working hard at figuring out how to fit training around a 4 x 10 hour shift work schedule. Tips are appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks for reading; both of you!<br /><br />-EricZippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-712178390804683672011-08-26T10:00:00.000-07:002011-08-26T10:08:49.913-07:00Cognitive Dissonance<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="4" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><tbody style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<tr class="tr3" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><td class="td3n2" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">Noun - an</span>&nbsp;<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">uncomfortable</span>&nbsp;<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">mental</span>&nbsp;<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">state</span>&nbsp;<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">resulting</span>&nbsp;<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">from</span>&nbsp;<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">conflicting&nbsp;</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">cognitions.</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />Like when you take a sip of a soda you swear was supposed to be Dr. Pepper and it turns out to be Coke. That awkward split second where you brain goes..."wait a minute, this isn't what I expected."<br /><br />Without going into too much detail, work's been a lot of that. I'm loving the job, but it's a bit more gnarly than I expected. I'm confident things will get better once the busy season winds down, but I worked more than a few shifts that started at 4PM and didn't finish until 6AM. Not what I expected, but what ever is?<br /><br />Long shifts make it tough to train like I want to and my fitness level (or lack thereof) prevents me from the long, meditative workouts I love. I'm working my way back up to an acceptable level, but long is the way and winding is the road. Last week I drove out to Temecula and hit a few hours of dirt with Luke. My odd work schedule doesn't allow me many weekend days off for socializing with people on a "traditional" work schedule and that wears on me a bit.<br /><br />Thursday I hit up one of my favorite So Cal trails. Hello, old friend.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iAsjhew7AI/TlfH1z4t72I/AAAAAAAABPE/MF3bt8bUh2g/s1600/DSCF0169%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iAsjhew7AI/TlfH1z4t72I/AAAAAAAABPE/MF3bt8bUh2g/s320/DSCF0169%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;There was one other car in the parking lot when I pulled in and the rider passed me going down hill as I was going up. I had the trail all to myself! Strange feeling since this lot is FULL most weekends. My non-traditional work schedule has some benefits.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXTV_NtRmew/TlfHhN1WgsI/AAAAAAAABO0/IVueNNLaYqs/s1600/DSCF0174%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXTV_NtRmew/TlfHhN1WgsI/AAAAAAAABO0/IVueNNLaYqs/s320/DSCF0174%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Up, up and away. Hot is right. Within 20 minutes, my cycling kit was soaked through with sweat. The high humidity affected my cooling and I found myself walking because it was just too hot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BA5h8cti_l0/TlfInLh75EI/AAAAAAAABPQ/ciZzV6mxx1E/s1600/DSCF0170%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BA5h8cti_l0/TlfInLh75EI/AAAAAAAABPQ/ciZzV6mxx1E/s320/DSCF0170%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;The original plan was to ride all the way to Blue Jay Campground and back, but it wasn't going to happen in the heat. I pulled the plug at Cocktail Rock and enjoyed the 6 mile descent back to the trail head. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LNyUD68ZGw/TlfIeex1ZsI/AAAAAAAABPM/8bQcVagW8Po/s1600/DSCF0173%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LNyUD68ZGw/TlfIeex1ZsI/AAAAAAAABPM/8bQcVagW8Po/s320/DSCF0173%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="4" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><tbody style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<tr class="tr3" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><td class="td3n2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />Basically, I'm squeezing training in wherever I can. Since I'm still "training" at work, I'm bouncing between parks my hours constantly change. I should be done and onto my own schedule in 3-4 weeks, but I'm not counting on anything until I have it in writing. I'm really looking forward to settling into something resembling a routine so I can get back into a training groove where I'm happy. <br /><br />Back to "work".<br /><br />E. </span> <br /></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-49582114830534576802011-05-31T15:31:00.000-07:002011-05-31T15:31:11.459-07:00Climb Mt. Whitney: check<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's back up a bit...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The third week of May marked the end of my sentence, err training, in Monterey. We did the whole graduation thing, the Parks Director pinned a shiny star on my jacket, I packed up and got the hell out. Holly and I rolled in to San Diego at about 11PM that night and collapsed on the bed. Done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Earlier that week, Dan had flown a message on Facebook that his climbing partner for Whitney blew his knee out (chronic injury got worse) and he needed a fill-in or he'd be forced to stay home. Whitney permits are a little difficult to come by, I'd always wanted to do it (it was on the "Bucket List"), I had the time and the money. I ran it by Holly since it was the weekend after I just got home from 8 months in Monterey and she gave me the go-ahead: "Do it."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I sent Dan a message, spent WAY too much on gear and last Friday, I pulled into Lone Pine to meet up with him. I'd never done any mountaineering, but I'm pretty fit, I've done solo backpacking and used to rock climb pretty aggressively. Besides, it's just walking, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I met Dan in Lone Pine around noon and we hit the local grocery for last minute supplies. I followed him up to the trail head (Whitney Portal) and we did one last gear check before hitting the trail.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjSSBYmaZxo/TePFQ7hBbwI/AAAAAAAABJU/sxfSNlNLT8U/s1600/DSCF0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjSSBYmaZxo/TePFQ7hBbwI/AAAAAAAABJU/sxfSNlNLT8U/s400/DSCF0053.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>At 8360 feet elevation, I could feel the altitude just walking around the parking lot. It would get MUCH worse.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ROP1mJ246Fg/TePFXBSrPMI/AAAAAAAABJc/2c3bfarbzQk/s1600/DSCF0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ROP1mJ246Fg/TePFXBSrPMI/AAAAAAAABJc/2c3bfarbzQk/s400/DSCF0054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We weighed our packs on the hanging scale at the&nbsp;trail head&nbsp;just for giggles: me 53 lbs, Dan 55 lbs. Yikes! Onward and upward; the trail started off fairly steep and got steeper from there. With the warm temps, we were both sweating under the load of our packs.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yiKZl689PpI/TePFS-ejB9I/AAAAAAAABJY/P-quqNHGprA/s1600/DSCF0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yiKZl689PpI/TePFS-ejB9I/AAAAAAAABJY/P-quqNHGprA/s320/DSCF0055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Plenty of high step-ups to negotiate; not easy carrying 30% more weight than your legs are used to.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wCMprShSRUk/TePFi7bm-VI/AAAAAAAABJg/OJQvvHO38_8/s1600/DSCF0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wCMprShSRUk/TePFi7bm-VI/AAAAAAAABJg/OJQvvHO38_8/s400/DSCF0057.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Still, there were plenty of beautiful views to take our minds off the workload. I lost track of the number of times we stopped to take pictures or just take in the views.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhBQIpf97Z8/TePFtKiokFI/AAAAAAAABJo/zRK9Wqs6h6w/s1600/DSCF0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhBQIpf97Z8/TePFtKiokFI/AAAAAAAABJo/zRK9Wqs6h6w/s400/DSCF0058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The hiker in front is jut for perspective, that's not Dan. The trail traverses above the granite slab in the background and through the valley between the peaks. Whitney itself is just over the ridge above the hiker in the foreground. Yeah, a looonnng way up.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5LXgRhDQo0/TePFzTh70fI/AAAAAAAABJs/G7JSsbsTvNo/s1600/DSCF0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5LXgRhDQo0/TePFzTh70fI/AAAAAAAABJs/G7JSsbsTvNo/s400/DSCF0059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The granite cliffs flanking the valley provided an amazing backdrop for the hike in.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E22HMug5p3E/TePGB317j2I/AAAAAAAABJ0/-p9bPO2Y8pE/s1600/DSCF0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E22HMug5p3E/TePGB317j2I/AAAAAAAABJ0/-p9bPO2Y8pE/s400/DSCF0061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Dan and I turned out to both be John Muir fans. No choice but to stop and geek out a bit at the entrance to the John Muir Wilderness. It's also quite the symbolic entry into the back country. You're a long way from help back here.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jrwEeHzSa8/TePGCLuJmPI/AAAAAAAABJ4/Hs0I_rzSUB4/s1600/DSCF0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jrwEeHzSa8/TePGCLuJmPI/AAAAAAAABJ4/Hs0I_rzSUB4/s400/DSCF0062.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>With record snow fall this past Winter and Spring, the Sierra snow pack is about 160% of normal. It wasn't long before we began encountering significant snow fields. With the late start and the warm temps, the snow wasn't holding our weight and we began "post-holing", which slowed our progress considerably and took much more effort to get through than I had anticipated.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-joPdpUF_Lok/TePGYZve2oI/AAAAAAAABKA/ophSUQs12Vk/s1600/DSCF0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-joPdpUF_Lok/TePGYZve2oI/AAAAAAAABKA/ophSUQs12Vk/s400/DSCF0064.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We were still having a good time at this point; we were enjoying the views and just happy to be out there. Dan's all smiles.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crXjLC8hel0/TePGZOdQz8I/AAAAAAAABKE/aXu81069i1I/s1600/DSCF0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crXjLC8hel0/TePGZOdQz8I/AAAAAAAABKE/aXu81069i1I/s400/DSCF0065.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Amazing waterfall. Lots of water running in the streams and creeks makes for dramatic waterfalls.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFTDDZxHPM0/TePGo3KdjXI/AAAAAAAABKM/EiUL0wninUc/s1600/DSCF0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFTDDZxHPM0/TePGo3KdjXI/AAAAAAAABKM/EiUL0wninUc/s400/DSCF0069.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sweet view! Lone Pine Lake in the foreground with the Owens Valley below.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LryBfQW07w/TePGs7rmXHI/AAAAAAAABKQ/QZ0p0C7e8Fs/s1600/DSCF0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LryBfQW07w/TePGs7rmXHI/AAAAAAAABKQ/QZ0p0C7e8Fs/s400/DSCF0070.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We pushed hard, but did not make it to our planned campsite, Trail Camp. Instead, we stopped at Mirror Lake (not supposed to camp there) due to the lack of open room at Outpost Camp just below us. With all the snow, finding a spot on actual dirt proved challenging. We persevered and found enough room. however. We pulled in late (5:30) and debated pushing up to Trail Camp, bu a group that summited that day advised against it saying trail camp was very cold and windy, miserable in fact. We took their advice and stayed put. It turned out to be good advice as the wind began gusting strongly and increased throughout the night and into the morning. We started out summit trip Saturday morning by climbing the snow/ice field in the middle of the photo. A trial by fire for me considering I've never used crampons or an ice axe&nbsp;before. Yikes!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Hpedq9Wwkk/TePKkhQunQI/AAAAAAAABK8/R3S1e8AYRh4/s1600/DSCF0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Hpedq9Wwkk/TePKkhQunQI/AAAAAAAABK8/R3S1e8AYRh4/s400/DSCF0078.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mirror Lake mostly frozen; our water source for the trip.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--EFmuqvSxTQ/TePKiHg6pCI/AAAAAAAABK4/v5-hZxFZ7p4/s1600/DSCF0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--EFmuqvSxTQ/TePKiHg6pCI/AAAAAAAABK4/v5-hZxFZ7p4/s400/DSCF0080.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Saturday we headed for the summit. It turned out to be way harder than I thought it would be. The first snow field directly across from Mirror lake looked short enough, but it took us almost 50 minutes to climb it. I didn't know it, but I was in for a long day. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sbP5t1NOdYw/TePK2oM3CDI/AAAAAAAABLE/E3atTknF5kk/s1600/DSCF0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sbP5t1NOdYw/TePK2oM3CDI/AAAAAAAABLE/E3atTknF5kk/s400/DSCF0081.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We eventually made it to where the trail side meadow should be, but it remains covered by several feet of snow and ice. Consultation Lake (below) is no different. Hard to believe it's almost June and there's still this much snow on everything.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jeSfGFv3Pbg/TePK24BKDUI/AAAAAAAABLI/_un8CxUKh8s/s1600/DSCF0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jeSfGFv3Pbg/TePK24BKDUI/AAAAAAAABLI/_un8CxUKh8s/s320/DSCF0082.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The push up the snow chute up to the John Muir Trail junction and the ridge line was a nasty one. It's, by far, the hardest part of the trip and climbs about 1500 feet in a very short distance. Despite our fitness, it took us two hours to reach what is called "the notch" or "Trail Crest". I can only begin to describe the suffering; 20 steps, 20 breaths...repeat for 2 hours. The progress was frustratingly slow and the lack of available oxygen only made it worse. Half way up, Dan carved out a ledge in the snow for a seat. When I got to him , he got up and let me rest. My calves and feet burned like fire from climbing the steep slope in crampons. I silently thanked the REI Salesperson for recommending a boot with a stiff sole. I eventually gave up my precarious seat and went back to my task. Step, step...move the ice axe. Breathe, drink. Repeat.<br /><br />At long last, Trail Crest! &nbsp; &nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vsS5FHU8Lrw/TePK92TahJI/AAAAAAAABLQ/mAhCFUf_s2U/s1600/DSCF0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vsS5FHU8Lrw/TePK92TahJI/AAAAAAAABLQ/mAhCFUf_s2U/s400/DSCF0084.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Here we paused long enough to remove our crampons and take in the views we worked so hard to attain. The pictures hardly do it justice and a panoramic video only hints at the beauty. Here's a pretty sweet 360 VR pano I found:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.virtualparks.org/scenes/Zj-nvfjW74SFggTBjCLWG_g.html">360 Pano</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cAuuB8SZ8w/TePLlNmCBpI/AAAAAAAABLU/QxWUcrfsF-M/s1600/DSCF0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cAuuB8SZ8w/TePLlNmCBpI/AAAAAAAABLU/QxWUcrfsF-M/s400/DSCF0086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>North West into Sequoia National Park. I think that's Crabtree Lakes in the foreground. Guitar Lake is just off the screen to the right, behind the point.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mU98GwSmmg/TePLm77ADhI/AAAAAAAABLY/4am1e8uHXIk/s1600/DSCF0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mU98GwSmmg/TePLm77ADhI/AAAAAAAABLY/4am1e8uHXIk/s400/DSCF0085.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>West into Sequoia National Park. Friggin' gorgeous!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrO_tSS1rBE/TePL4X7PChI/AAAAAAAABLg/7WkhFfj-qMk/s1600/DSCF0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrO_tSS1rBE/TePL4X7PChI/AAAAAAAABLg/7WkhFfj-qMk/s400/DSCF0088.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Back down the valley we came up from. Consultation Lake just visible in the right foreground.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MsRlI2n_lJE/TePL73TnPKI/AAAAAAAABLo/C3gF00ca9HU/s1600/DSCF0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MsRlI2n_lJE/TePL73TnPKI/AAAAAAAABLo/C3gF00ca9HU/s400/DSCF0089.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>North towards Mt. Whitney. Not sure if it's the middle or far peak on the left. Still a ways off.<br /><br />I was hurting for sure by this time. I was tired, had a headache, was pretty nauseated and could tell I was way low on cals...and then I ran out of water. With the closest water source at Consultation Lake and about 45 minutes before we even reached the summit, I knew I getting back would be very difficult to say the least. I don't think he knew it, but when I asked Dan how far to the summit, I was mentally deciding if it was time to bail on the summit and head for some water. Luckily, Dan had enough water to share some, but it would be close for us to make the summit and make it back to water. Moreover, it was getting late (12:45-ish) and we still had to hike all the way back to camp. With increasing wind speeds (65-75 mph gusts) and snow forecast, it was decision time. Spending the night on the ridge line or at Trail Camp would be ugly.<br /><br />We needed to pick up the pace so Dan suggested we ditch our main packs. We put our crampons back on, I took a small summit pack with just some emergency supplies, Dan grabbed his camera and water bottle and we and went for it. Game on.<br /><br />I could tell we were making better time with the lighter load. Finally, we hit the last snow field on the back side of the peak. Soon I heard Dan yell out: "There's the hut!". I looked up and there it was. The peak!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ukO5z6okiI/TePMOUNnWvI/AAAAAAAABLw/GueJ6hhDc9g/s1600/DSCF0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ukO5z6okiI/TePMOUNnWvI/AAAAAAAABLw/GueJ6hhDc9g/s400/DSCF0092.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It was blowing HARD up on the peak, Dan went over to the summit register and we both signed it. He went about snapping photos and I plopped down on the lee side of the hut. I was smashed. Dan shared more of his water with me and I eventually realized I was on top of the highest point in 48 states. I set about taking my own photos.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sfnS8asElnM/TePM540RNoI/AAAAAAAABMM/QPopROMqqeE/s1600/DSCF0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sfnS8asElnM/TePM540RNoI/AAAAAAAABMM/QPopROMqqeE/s400/DSCF0099.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Back down the valley toward Lone Pine. I didn't get closer to the edge because of the wind.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yphffsjr5V4/TePNQEfp6hI/AAAAAAAABMc/Wln2E0GaDKQ/s1600/DSCF0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yphffsjr5V4/TePNQEfp6hI/AAAAAAAABMc/Wln2E0GaDKQ/s400/DSCF0103.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Muir Hut!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34CEkSeJhsU/TePNKRSCzJI/AAAAAAAABMY/fgkuzJx34qE/s1600/DSCF0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34CEkSeJhsU/TePNKRSCzJI/AAAAAAAABMY/fgkuzJx34qE/s400/DSCF0102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sequoia National Park.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWhFY1Dvw00/TeVfWHOTGsI/AAAAAAAABOc/b9rwr5K2he8/s1600/DSCF0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWhFY1Dvw00/TeVfWHOTGsI/AAAAAAAABOc/b9rwr5K2he8/s400/DSCF0093.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Yeah, it's high. Still seems a bit surreal.<br /><br />We spent about 30 mins on the summit, relaxing and taking pictures. We headed started the journey down at about 2 PM, 7 hours after leaving camp that morning. Most people had already summited and we knew we were close to the last people coming down. It occurred to me we, possibly, had no one behind us to help if we got in trouble. Kind of a sobering thought, really. We hiked back down to our packs, re-shouldered them and trekked back to the "notch". We took our crampons back off for the trip down the tough snow chute climb; this time, we'd make it down in 5 minutes; glissading! Imagine a snow slide with a 1000' vertical drop and you get the idea. Adult-sized fun! A fellow climber summed it up: " I wanna go again! That was fun, but it feels like Mr. Frosty just had his way with me." Quote of the trip.<br /><br />Alas, the fun had to end. By now it was late in the day and the snow had softened considerably. As smashed as we were, post-holing was taking a huge toll on our bodies as was the dehydration. I'd walk/stumble as far as I could until I thought I was going to vomit and then take a break until the waves of nausea passed. Not fun. Add to that the 65-75 mph wind gusts and it made for extremely slow going. Dan won the "deepest post hole" award when he sank all the way to his groin in the snow. You get the idea.<br /><br />Finally, we were close enough to Consultation Lake that Dan pushed ahead to see if he could find water for us. I could see him below me trying to figure out how to get through the ice and not break through and fall into the water. I caught up to him and plopped down on some rocks where he was looking at drinking from a snow melt pool when he spied a small snow melt waterfall nearby. He filled a bottle dropped the bleach in to treat it and we both sipped the cold, delicious liquid. Saved!<br /><br />Again, time was not our friend and we had to press on before dark and before the snow blew in. After a final, tricky descent we made it back to camp and threw ourselves to the ground. Exhausted. I heard Dan moving about re-securing his tent that had blown over during the day, while I made some weak gatorade from the lake. Cold, tired and nauseated, I changed out wet clothes for dry and climbed into my sleeping bag to warm up. I fell asleep from the ordeal and awoke 30 mins later feeling much better. Dan had also fallen asleep without meaning to. We made dimmer and ,eventually, the gusty winds drove us into our beds. Unfortunately, a good night's rest was not in the card; Mother Nature had other plans for us.<br /><br />HOWLING winds all night long. Several times I thought the nearby trees were about to fall on us or that my tent would rip apart from the winds. Around 1100, I heard it the&nbsp;unmistakable sound of snow falling on my tent. The winds were strong enough during the night to blow snow under my tent's rain fly and through the mesh of the inner tent. By morning, I had a small pile of snow inside my tent and a 1" snow drift against my tent. We both only slept about an hour at a time, but sleep we did. I awoke Sunday morning to clear skies, weakening wind gusts and fresh snow on the ground. Perfect!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aj0KC5HvLyw/TePN6IhElnI/AAAAAAAABM4/VkLLRfB-H9g/s1600/DSCF0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zh3fhKZoqhg/TePNevypioI/AAAAAAAABMk/NOc-RVK6fA0/s1600/DSCF0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zh3fhKZoqhg/TePNevypioI/AAAAAAAABMk/NOc-RVK6fA0/s400/DSCF0106.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunrise! Oh yeah!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zh3fhKZoqhg/TePNevypioI/AAAAAAAABMk/NOc-RVK6fA0/s1600/DSCF0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-CB1wr4mwQ/TePNayYQRvI/AAAAAAAABMg/mbUo0t1svtg/s1600/DSCF0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-CB1wr4mwQ/TePNayYQRvI/AAAAAAAABMg/mbUo0t1svtg/s400/DSCF0108.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dan finally got up and I debated out loud if to make breakfast or not. Dan mentioned breakfast in town and I was hooked. Let's go.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From the cold tamps the night before, the snow had hardened considerably, which made the trip down&nbsp;exponentially&nbsp;faster than the day before. Soon we were out of the worst of the snow and back onto dirt. Not before spying a few, last winter reminders.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-CB1wr4mwQ/TePNayYQRvI/AAAAAAAABMg/mbUo0t1svtg/s1600/DSCF0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcQtH0vBJEc/TePNxL611KI/AAAAAAAABMw/JKdjcWUVZ7s/s1600/DSCF0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcQtH0vBJEc/TePNxL611KI/AAAAAAAABMw/JKdjcWUVZ7s/s400/DSCF0110.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The scenery still amazes me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcQtH0vBJEc/TePNxL611KI/AAAAAAAABMw/JKdjcWUVZ7s/s1600/DSCF0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aj0KC5HvLyw/TePN6IhElnI/AAAAAAAABM4/VkLLRfB-H9g/s1600/DSCF0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aj0KC5HvLyw/TePN6IhElnI/AAAAAAAABM4/VkLLRfB-H9g/s400/DSCF0113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We made it back to the trail head in a few, short hours, but not before one, last snow flurry to remind us who was really in charge. We packed up and hit the local cafe for breakfast. More disappointment: no pancakes after 11 and it was already noon. Dammit. Luckily, they serve breakfast all day; we chowed down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After lunch we said our goodbyes and I hit the road.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm stoked to check this one off my bucket list. People in the parking lot were mirroring the challenges we had faced: lots of soft snow, losing the route, emergency bivvy sack use and even shacking up with strangers while waiting out the weather. I'd love to go back in the Summer and see all the trees and plants green and the lakes &nbsp;in the unfrozen state.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope you enjoyed the story and the pics. The rest of the pics are <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114838898756159996677/Whitney2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCN-j6JOT1_utygE#">here.</a>&nbsp;There's just too many to show on the 'blog. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”<div>-John Muir</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks.</div><div><br /></div><div>E.</div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-84781003548577453942011-04-24T18:11:00.000-07:002011-04-24T18:11:28.817-07:00Re-Birth?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm putting together a presentation for work and I needed some plant/nature photos. I put out the call for help to the online community last week, but using my own shots feels better than getting them off the web. The photographers that I've been working with have been more than generous with their time and property rights. Thanks to everyone that's been helping me out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was able to re-hab the MTB from last month's race (braks pads F and R, F brake bleed cleaning etc) and decided to grab the camera and see what I could do on my own. It's been beautiful in Monterey all week and I woke up Sunday morning to cold temps, wind and light drizzle. Great. Nothing for it but grab a jacket and HTFU.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lucky for me, the recent rain meant tacky trails (woot!) and flowers blooming <i>everywhere.</i> I spent quite a bit of time snapping pics and just enjoying being out on the dirt after way too long of a lay-off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kKp6HrMZO50/TbTBhly1wJI/AAAAAAAABHk/5ZdEknkgFHA/s400/DSCF0032.JPG" width="300" />&nbsp; </div>Black Sage (Salvia mellifera). This stuff was going CRAZY.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qbtMc9eQ9mA/TbTBwpWKe_I/AAAAAAAABHc/-cu-_CB1pEw/s1600/DSCF0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qbtMc9eQ9mA/TbTBwpWKe_I/AAAAAAAABHc/-cu-_CB1pEw/s400/DSCF0036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)...I think. Feel free to correct me if I have the plants wrong.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNmHiOourjM/TbTCAplapkI/AAAAAAAABHw/2xIc_dc09TU/s1600/DSCF0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNmHiOourjM/TbTCAplapkI/AAAAAAAABHw/2xIc_dc09TU/s400/DSCF0039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There were entire hillsides absolutely covered in these purple flowers. No idea what they are, though.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-54yMfKHCqHc/TbTDYqDiPRI/AAAAAAAABIo/VYTehfPEHkk/s1600/DSCF0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-54yMfKHCqHc/TbTDYqDiPRI/AAAAAAAABIo/VYTehfPEHkk/s400/DSCF0038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Poison Oak! (Toxicodendron diversilobum). The water on the leaves is from the rain Tons of this stuff all over the place as well. Some of it growing right next to and even reaching out over the trail itself with leaves as big as the palm of my hand. Crossing my fingers and hoping I don't get a reaction. There's so much of it up here, I'm thinking of buying some PO soap just as a precaution. Yuck.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwTx9EsgrVU/TbTCJjG6njI/AAAAAAAABH4/VyoIMixNyK4/s1600/DSCF0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwTx9EsgrVU/TbTCJjG6njI/AAAAAAAABH4/VyoIMixNyK4/s400/DSCF0041.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Overcast, windy and rainy all day, but I didn't care I was so glad to be out riding. I started from the west end of Fort Ord, hooked up with the Sea Otter Cat 1 course, did a loop and headed back. Lost some data, but probably 30+ miles and about 3:20 or so with all the stops. No hurry, just chillin'.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CLySav3fcIs/TbTCEq8s7vI/AAAAAAAABH0/MctAHKtsCEw/s400/DSCF0040.JPG" width="400" />&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was so blow away by how green everything was. I've been locked up in my room for so long that I totally missed the transition from Winter to Spring. Well Spring is here with a vengeance and I'm going to make sure I get out and start enjoying it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhMS4mnwppM/TbTDxeslflI/AAAAAAAABI4/Xra3wKmkQEk/s400/DSCF0051.JPG" width="400" /></div>Black Sage blooming all over the place. Crazy!<br /><br />That's it for now. One more week of interpretive training complete with a test and 20 minute presentation, followed by 3 weeks of first aid and rifle training (woot!) and then 2-weeks of VACATION! I can't wait.<br /><br />E.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-54516591342502314572011-04-13T20:50:00.000-07:002011-04-13T20:53:09.570-07:00BasicFor those of you who weren't aware, I've been sequestered in Monterey since October training for a new job with State Parks. Last Thursday (4/7) we graduated from the po-po phase of training and moved into the interpretive portion. If things all go well, I should be "home" May 20th. Home is in quotes because I'll be incredibly busy with field training for another 12 weeks though I'll by physically home, I won't be relaxing as field training is the make-or-break part.<br /><br />I've been assigned to Crystal Cove State Park and, though I've been there before, I took advantage of the 3-day weekend and paid my new park a visit.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsEozh3T8cI/TaZnk3ZUrNI/AAAAAAAABGU/MwYVe6W0bv8/s1600/Crystal+1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsEozh3T8cI/TaZnk3ZUrNI/AAAAAAAABGU/MwYVe6W0bv8/s400/Crystal+1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />You're jealous...I know.<br /><br />Part of interpretive training requires us to create and present a 20-minute talk or campfire program and I was in the park taking photos for that. Alas, I didn't take many pictures of the back country since it was closed due to some heavy rains we got that weekend. Holly and I lucked out and scored a rad day, though. Suffice to say there are almost 2500 acres in the back country, and most of you in So Cal are familiar with the trails in "El Moro". That's my park. Training opportunities? Oh yeah! I'm pretty sure it's practically <a href="http://slaterfletcher.com/">Slater's</a> back yard.<br /><br />Coincidentally, lots of people get married in the CC historic district because, well...it's pretty! Hey, Holly and I are looking for a wedding site...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCmtzJTN53k/TaZpdQgS4sI/AAAAAAAABGc/VvwXSngkR9E/s1600/Crystal+1+%252821%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCmtzJTN53k/TaZpdQgS4sI/AAAAAAAABGc/VvwXSngkR9E/s400/Crystal+1+%252821%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Not bad, right? It's got an awesome view of Catalina Island.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUJm4jKpBhA/TaZprW_sENI/AAAAAAAABGg/IMGrvd0Uark/s1600/Crystal+1+%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUJm4jKpBhA/TaZprW_sENI/AAAAAAAABGg/IMGrvd0Uark/s400/Crystal+1+%252822%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />We're still deciding, but this one goes on the list for sure.<br /><br />Training and racing are on the back burner for now. I'm still getting out whenever I can and racing when the opportunity presents itself, but securing a career for the next 30 years of my life needs to take priority over "hobbies" at the moment. It kills me watching all my crazy friends win races left and right, but I gotta finish this chapter of my life off before I add multi-sport back into the mix. Can't wait to get back to training and racing at the level I enjoy.<br /><br />I squeezed in Xterra REAL at the end of March and pulled of a halfway decent result considering the lack of training I've been getting in. Results <a href="http://tbfracing.com/results/results/2011/realmtb/overall.html">here</a>. A muddy mess for sure, but I pulled off 7th AG and 20th OA. First tri of the season under the belt; onward and upward from here. Photos here <a href="http://www.jamesprattphotography.exposuremanager.com/p/march_27_2011brnbspnbspxterra_real_mtb_triathlonbrnbspnbspbike/img_6814_32_5_18_2">(1)</a><a href="http://www.jamesprattphotography.exposuremanager.com/p/march_27_2011brnbspnbspxterra_real_mtb_triathlonbrnbspnbsprun/img_0702_32_5_18_3">(2)</a>. I'm not going into a full race report because this post is getting too long, but I'll sum it up:<br /><br />The water was SUPER cold (48.5) and swimming in water that cold sucks. The bike and run were so muddy my bike is still acting funny, my clothes still have mud in them and I had to retire my running shoes. I raced on a shoddy base and I could tell the top-end wasn't there. I gave what I had, but yearned for the days when I had more to give. A little disappointing.<br /><br />More "Death by Power Point" this week and next as my enginerd friends call it. Hopefully, I'll have more time to check in from now on.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />E.Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-24025669242764440242010-12-31T14:42:00.000-08:002010-12-31T14:42:17.918-08:002010 Wrap-UpThis past year was a roller coaster for sure.&nbsp;Holly and I dealt with some pretty major life changes and, somehow, managed to come out of it without&nbsp;driving each other insane.<br /><br />In January, I got fired from&nbsp;the UCSD bike shop because&nbsp;I graduated and only students work at the shop. Bitter-sweet, but the sudden lack of a paycheck hurt; more so when I learned I don't qualify for unemployment thanks to my coaching business. Huge props to my athletes, friends and family for keeping a roof over our heads and food on the table. Needless to say, we struggled for sure. <br /><br />February-March I trained like a beast, dug way too big a hole and wound up burned out later in the season. DUMB. Lesson learned. I went back to lifeguarding, but needed more stability and some semblance of a set schedule. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5RnDEdwvI/AAAAAAAABFM/_DrJpP73je8/s1600/IMG_0534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5RnDEdwvI/AAAAAAAABFM/_DrJpP73je8/s320/IMG_0534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Tasty snacks from the sister and brother-in-law along with a beer sampler from Guinness. Not bad.<br /><br />Thankfully, the folks at B&amp;L bikes took a chance on hiring me.&nbsp;Life got better FAST: a set schedule and indoor employment made for some happy days. State Parks was unhappy with my choice, but&nbsp;Seasonal Lifeguard pay doesn't cut it for a guy in my situation. Sometimes the unpopular choice is the right one. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5Rtel8FCI/AAAAAAAABFQ/jnM1sk4sTxQ/s1600/IMG_0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5Rtel8FCI/AAAAAAAABFQ/jnM1sk4sTxQ/s320/IMG_0536.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;The soft, chewy ornaments lasted all of 24 hours before we found them all over the house. They were still in one piece, but we put them away to remove the temptation. Don't let the cute face fool you, he's an Evil Genius.<br /><br />So I went back to life before UCSD: working full time, going to school part to full time and squeezing in as much training as my mental state could handle. Then I get notice the State Parks is hiring the bottom of the barrel for Peace Officer Ranger and Lifeguards. I jump through the hoops all over again and you probably know the rest. I happy to be focused on just two things right now instead of 20; it seems simple&nbsp;in comparison.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5RxGKrGnI/AAAAAAAABFU/YsIfIa2emGM/s1600/IMG_0535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5RxGKrGnI/AAAAAAAABFU/YsIfIa2emGM/s320/IMG_0535.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Blue skies and mid 60's in December. Gotta love San Diego, though I think a pump malfunction started the swimmer's ear I'm battling. It dumped rain last Wednesday and the pool was full over the gutters. I didn't think anything of it until my ear canals got painful and swollen. A visit to the Urgent Care and probably 90 bucks later...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5R4lVGJfI/AAAAAAAABFc/qJvDYmbNRZQ/s1600/IMG_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5R4lVGJfI/AAAAAAAABFc/qJvDYmbNRZQ/s320/IMG_0170.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;With money as tight as it was, I only raced 4 times all year. Xterra West in Vegas: food poisoning, 100 deg temps and a flat tire. Lots learned here. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5R-d5z4pI/AAAAAAAABFg/ZcFYCAyPKIU/s1600/XSV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5R-d5z4pI/AAAAAAAABFg/ZcFYCAyPKIU/s320/XSV.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>&nbsp;Xterra Snow Valley rocked for me. Despite a VERY slow swim, I think this was the race of my life to date. The key is leaving the watch and HRM in the bag. "There is no spoon..."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5SFlSbokI/AAAAAAAABFk/dTYcEwLrolM/s1600/827619-R1-14-11A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5SFlSbokI/AAAAAAAABFk/dTYcEwLrolM/s320/827619-R1-14-11A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;With nothing to lose I jumped in to my first Ultra Marathon. Record levels of pain and suffering here. Had a blast!<br /><br />I also race in my first State Championship race for Mountain Biking. I got my ass handed to me, but the improvement over other races at the same venue was clear. Despite the crummy result, it reinforced that my training theories and practices are headed in the right direction. I'm always tweaking stuff, and it's nice when stuff "works" cool. <br /><br />The same can be said for my athletes: some SOLID improvements with people meeting or exceeding their season expectations. Awesome!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5R0krehmI/AAAAAAAABFY/fELmBCDm8bQ/s1600/IMG_0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TR5R0krehmI/AAAAAAAABFY/fELmBCDm8bQ/s320/IMG_0537.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So to end 2010 on a high note, Christmas Morning I went ahead and asked Holly to marry me. I was confident she'd accept, but how excited she got really blew me away. Stoked to have such an incredible woman agree to be&nbsp;my wife.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Back to Monterey and training for State Parks on Monday; we're not done until JUNE! Ick. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Look for 2011 plans and schemes after the first of the year. Best wishes to friends and family everywhere. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Cheers!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">E.</div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-14937366131994548582010-10-30T16:52:00.000-07:002010-10-30T16:54:49.737-07:00RecessAlthough I spend Monday through Friday playing "Recruit Palmer" Saturday and Sunday are all about getting out and clearing the mind so I don't go stir crazy...or get FAT! LOL!<br /><br />Did I mention the deer around here are kind of used to people? My room mate is a hunter and I clowned him: "Look! I'm shooting deer!".<br />He gave me a dirty look: "Don't tease me..."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMypc_TME5I/AAAAAAAABEQ/9sGDbDvvuOc/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMypc_TME5I/AAAAAAAABEQ/9sGDbDvvuOc/s400/065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>&nbsp;Of course the scenery is awesome. All the buildings were designed by the same architect that designed Hearst Castle: Julia Morgan. This isn't my building, but they all look very similar. Rad.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyplvZzVLI/AAAAAAAABEU/ycxrnVqCM9o/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyplvZzVLI/AAAAAAAABEU/ycxrnVqCM9o/s400/067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>&nbsp;Driving out to the trail. A rare sunny day on the Monterrey Peninsula; I took FULL advantage.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyppkk9LGI/AAAAAAAABEY/ONIgFgcO5Eo/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyppkk9LGI/AAAAAAAABEY/ONIgFgcO5Eo/s400/068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>&nbsp;The ocean is just out of the picture on the left.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMypubgZhBI/AAAAAAAABEc/HDvehFniM1I/s1600/069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMypubgZhBI/AAAAAAAABEc/HDvehFniM1I/s400/069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Partly cloudy and quite breezy, but I'm pretty much used to the cold by now. Today was "nice" comparatively speaking.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqSTYG9rI/AAAAAAAABEg/F1YBv_BHnck/s1600/070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqSTYG9rI/AAAAAAAABEg/F1YBv_BHnck/s400/070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>&nbsp;Some cool views out here.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqd7VMpbI/AAAAAAAABEs/1PEpttUa1JA/s1600/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqd7VMpbI/AAAAAAAABEs/1PEpttUa1JA/s400/071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>&nbsp;I saw FIVE people during a three-hour ride. Stoked? Oh yeah!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqhcfYJMI/AAAAAAAABEw/vKyQ2NpIFZE/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqhcfYJMI/AAAAAAAABEw/vKyQ2NpIFZE/s400/072.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>&nbsp;Single track! Mmmmm...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqkSODyJI/AAAAAAAABE0/3ki-i_nyYrE/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqkSODyJI/AAAAAAAABE0/3ki-i_nyYrE/s400/074.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqpN6ux4I/AAAAAAAABE4/V6ePp5uN410/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqpN6ux4I/AAAAAAAABE4/V6ePp5uN410/s400/075.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>&nbsp;Yeah; that's a marked trail. Love it. I'll let the pictures do the talking.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqzB5qeOI/AAAAAAAABFA/IUFpEJvIAbw/s1600/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyqzB5qeOI/AAAAAAAABFA/IUFpEJvIAbw/s400/076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyq3FALAwI/AAAAAAAABFE/OuHfU3xHVHc/s1600/077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMyq3FALAwI/AAAAAAAABFE/OuHfU3xHVHc/s400/077.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>With the rain the night before, the dirt was super tacky given the high sand content in the soil. SWEET.<br /><br />As nice as it is having so many miles of trails practically to myself, I really miss the techy steeps of So Cal. *sigh*<br /><br />Heading out for a long run tomorrow along the coast and probably heading back to the pool next week since I get my first paycheck Monday. CSUMB has lap swim from 6:30-7:30. Perfect.&nbsp; <br /><br />E.Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-64038990881474869122010-10-23T15:09:00.000-07:002010-10-23T15:16:52.215-07:00HappeningsI know, I'm long overdue for a 'blog update. I'm into the third week of a police academy so I deserve some slack for, um, slacking.<br /><br />Briefly, Monterey is pretty, but it's hard to tell since it's always socked in with fog. I'm gettin gout for the occasional 30 minute run during the week and longer sessions on the weekend, but the academy schedule keeps me pretty busy. I need the running so I don;t go insane and don't put on too much weight. The deserts at the dining hall are tasty and there's plenty to ga around. I think I've put on 3 pounds already...oof.<br /><br />Where academics is concerned, the materila is easy to grasp there's just lots to learn in a very short time frame. As far as academy PT is concerned, we did a 20 minute run the other day at the local track and I lapped the whole class running 6:30's in lane three. And I'm out of shape! LOL!<br /><br />Backing up to late September,&nbsp;Holly and I ran the Nobkle Canyon 50K. My apologies for the pics' the disposable film camera we bought failed miserably int he photo quality department. I wasn't going to&nbsp;risk my nice digital camera to my legendary&nbsp;sweating capabilities.&nbsp;Moving&nbsp;on.<br /><br />Race start; 0630, If I recall. Early (more so since we drove out the morning of) and cold.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNPsU0v49I/AAAAAAAABDA/ekSkbzN2sJM/s1600/827619-R1-01-24A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNPsU0v49I/AAAAAAAABDA/ekSkbzN2sJM/s320/827619-R1-01-24A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNUzjGTffI/AAAAAAAABEM/64vukHwUkOQ/s1600/827619-R1-02-23A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNUzjGTffI/AAAAAAAABEM/64vukHwUkOQ/s320/827619-R1-02-23A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>They turned out to be a humorous and super-supportive bunch. A great crowd of crazies for suffering with.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNPvMx9kxI/AAAAAAAABDE/ytfCgfwZRP4/s1600/827619-R1-03-22A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNPvMx9kxI/AAAAAAAABDE/ytfCgfwZRP4/s320/827619-R1-03-22A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Some beautiful views early on in the race as the sun comes up. The sunrise behind, moon in front and&nbsp;lanscape below seemed like a&nbsp;cool juxtaposition. I&nbsp;guess you had to be there...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNPyS0HATI/AAAAAAAABDI/yrUXgbWmkco/s1600/827619-R1-04-21A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNPyS0HATI/AAAAAAAABDI/yrUXgbWmkco/s320/827619-R1-04-21A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Soemwhere on the way to Penny Pines. I just started snapepd photos at random intervals just to see what I'd get. I'm surprised anything came out!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNP1DQe5UI/AAAAAAAABDM/YY1xLPwQg-0/s1600/827619-R1-05-20A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNP1DQe5UI/AAAAAAAABDM/YY1xLPwQg-0/s320/827619-R1-05-20A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Erm...trees?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNP52MZk4I/AAAAAAAABDQ/enW2sDn7kaY/s1600/827619-R1-06-19A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNP52MZk4I/AAAAAAAABDQ/enW2sDn7kaY/s320/827619-R1-06-19A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Just crossed over Sunrise Highway and headed out onto the PCT. The views get better from here. Mile 12 or so.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNP9gsk2MI/AAAAAAAABDU/iWN552VKzs0/s1600/827619-R1-07-18A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNP9gsk2MI/AAAAAAAABDU/iWN552VKzs0/s320/827619-R1-07-18A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm lost for captions. Enjoy the pics.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQBIfL3EI/AAAAAAAABDY/YH_HbQKPEDE/s1600/827619-R1-08-17A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQBIfL3EI/AAAAAAAABDY/YH_HbQKPEDE/s320/827619-R1-08-17A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQFgpGgOI/AAAAAAAABDc/6ol34cnXpO8/s1600/827619-R1-09-16A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQFgpGgOI/AAAAAAAABDc/6ol34cnXpO8/s320/827619-R1-09-16A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQJiTp0fI/AAAAAAAABDg/n9SVTKGEQfQ/s1600/827619-R1-10-15A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQJiTp0fI/AAAAAAAABDg/n9SVTKGEQfQ/s320/827619-R1-10-15A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQOgtN-HI/AAAAAAAABDk/x_CNsAS35DA/s1600/827619-R1-11-14A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQOgtN-HI/AAAAAAAABDk/x_CNsAS35DA/s320/827619-R1-11-14A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQSfuExfI/AAAAAAAABDo/26Oql_86QjA/s1600/827619-R1-12-13A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQSfuExfI/AAAAAAAABDo/26Oql_86QjA/s320/827619-R1-12-13A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Notice the salty shirt. Mile 15? I felt AWESOME and decided to crack the throttle just a bit and started reeling people in that had passed me early on. I knew I was rolling the dice by doing so, but the last 11 miles is all downhill, right?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQWA2t8oI/AAAAAAAABDs/pqC4IQ8iN_M/s1600/827619-R1-13-12A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQWA2t8oI/AAAAAAAABDs/pqC4IQ8iN_M/s320/827619-R1-13-12A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQaPGTGyI/AAAAAAAABDw/gHs8orQzgeM/s1600/827619-R1-14-11A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQaPGTGyI/AAAAAAAABDw/gHs8orQzgeM/s320/827619-R1-14-11A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The brown specs on the horizon are cows. Another "had to be there" photo. Still feeling pretty good at this point, but I could tell it was getting warm. Mile 19?<br /><br />There are no photos to record my complete meltdown. I rolled into the mile 22 aid station ON FIRE. Seriously, I rolled in with 3:30 elapsed thinking I had sub-6 hours in the bag. I refilled and headed down the trail. Somewhere around mile 27, the serious descending starts...and everything started cramping. I'm reduced to wakling and occasionally shuffling. The rest all blurs together: walking, cramping, shuffling, overheating and then I'm out of water. Crap. My feet hurt so bad that at one point I sat down on the side of the trail just to get off them for a second. Wheels came off? Big time.<br /><br />I made it to the last aid station (mile 30?) and sat down in the shade; drinking and having my first serious "Should I pull the plug on this thing?" moment. With plenty of time to walk and still make the cut-off, I start back down the trail. I was seriously nauseated for the past 2 hours and just trying to force stuff down. With about 2 miles left to go, I passed a down runner being attended to; he either&nbsp;slipped and hit his head or passd out and hit his head. Either way, he didn't look good. About 200 yards further down and I'm so hurlish that I sat down...and puked HUGE. Race personnel passing me heading for the more seriously injured racer and worrying about me...a friendly mountain biker giving me salt capsules...a finisher coming back up the trail to walk me in just in case. I had that small post-vomit window where you feel great to make it to the finish line. GOOO!!!<br /><br />I managed a shuffle step for a bit and then back to walking as the cramps came back. I crossed the finish line in an underwheliming 8:20 but still with quite the large lump in my throat. Transcending personal boundaries? Hell yeah.<br /><br />I nursed some Gatorade and water, managed to get some food down and headed over to see Holly come in. <br /><br />Gotta kiss the rat; race rules! MUAH!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQfHQu1HI/AAAAAAAABD0/CdyRJYCCpsU/s1600/827619-R1-15-10A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQfHQu1HI/AAAAAAAABD0/CdyRJYCCpsU/s320/827619-R1-15-10A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Body language says it all. Total time: 10:30. That extra&nbsp;3 miles was a killer for everyone.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQjm4PBzI/AAAAAAAABD4/jBrH3kP3npI/s1600/827619-R1-16-9A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQjm4PBzI/AAAAAAAABD4/jBrH3kP3npI/s320/827619-R1-16-9A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Dirty girl feet!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQo3QRPYI/AAAAAAAABD8/aX872So26ng/s1600/827619-R1-17-8A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQo3QRPYI/AAAAAAAABD8/aX872So26ng/s320/827619-R1-17-8A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Dirty boy. Those socks were white once.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQs91C4XI/AAAAAAAABEA/bPXzjFniSls/s1600/827619-R1-18-7A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQs91C4XI/AAAAAAAABEA/bPXzjFniSls/s320/827619-R1-18-7A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Am I a salty sweater? Um, yes.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQwaennNI/AAAAAAAABEE/vf4RJSWl6Ks/s1600/827619-R1-19-6A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQwaennNI/AAAAAAAABEE/vf4RJSWl6Ks/s320/827619-R1-19-6A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Do all these salt stains make my ass look big?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQ2eLsx2I/AAAAAAAABEI/aAPrqnjtuQg/s1600/827619-R1-20-5A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TMNQ2eLsx2I/AAAAAAAABEI/aAPrqnjtuQg/s320/827619-R1-20-5A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Post-race, we hit the showers and headed home for some ice baths. The hunger monster was the most intense&nbsp;I've ever experieced. I literally woke up at midnight and made a Del Taco run we were both so hungry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Holly: "Where are you going?" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: "Del Taco; I'm STARVING". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Holly: "Right now?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: "Yeah. I'm so hungry I can't sleep." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Holly: ...can you get me a burrito?" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Comedy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Training's mostly taking a back seat to academy stuff, but I'm going to see what I can fit in once I've finished my end-of-season break. I should have the money to do the races I want to, but It'll be tough to top last year's fitness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're in Monterey, drop me en a-mail. I'm slowly learning where all the cool trails are in Fort Ord and would love to see some familiar faces. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">E.</div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-53587425509837084482010-09-13T16:19:00.000-07:002010-09-14T07:56:37.740-07:00Upheaval[uhp-hee-vuhl]<br /><div style="text-align: left;">–noun </div><div style="text-align: left;">1. strong or violent change or disturbance, as in a society: the upheaval of war. </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">Like when your entire life is about to change... </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">I got a package from FedEx last week containing a 2" thick 3-ring binder containing my training materials for the State Park Ranger/Lifeguard academy as well as a list of uniform items I needed to buy and a report date and time.&nbsp;Unless something completely unexpected happens, I'm&nbsp;taking the State job. After talking it over with Holly and doing all the math regarding malpractice insurance, student loans, yadda, yadda; I&nbsp;decided that I'd take the&nbsp;Parks job if it was offered to me, but&nbsp;wouldn't re-apply since the retirement is about to change for the new hiring list. Decision made; time to get on with life. </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">Labor Day weekend Holly and I headed out to the Laguna mountains to pre-run the middle section of the Noble Canyon 50K course. Since 5 miles of it is the Pacific Crest Trail and closed to bicycles, I wanted to see it before race day. Did I leave out the part about how I'm racing this year? My bad. </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">Way less people than I expected and always friggin' gorgeous out there. Looking East towards the desert below. </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6b4DSoKqI/AAAAAAAABAc/3mHq3RhLBBk/s1600/july+2010+116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6b4DSoKqI/AAAAAAAABAc/3mHq3RhLBBk/s320/july+2010+116.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The course gets STEEP in parts. Glad we took the time to pre-run.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6b6JHGyqI/AAAAAAAABAk/-4UapD94Uhc/s1600/july+2010+118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6b6JHGyqI/AAAAAAAABAk/-4UapD94Uhc/s320/july+2010+118.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Big Laguna Trail turn off. The descending technically starts here (mile 15 or so), but BLT rolls quite a lot and it's impossible to get into any kind of rhythm. That section is going to be the most physically and mentally challenging, I think .</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6b8_DLRWI/AAAAAAAABAs/6udMBTVNIIE/s1600/july+2010+120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6b8_DLRWI/AAAAAAAABAs/6udMBTVNIIE/s320/july+2010+120.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">On BLT headed back to Penny Pines. Lots of cows.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6cABMlv9I/AAAAAAAABA0/4qivfsbax9w/s1600/july+2010+122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6cABMlv9I/AAAAAAAABA0/4qivfsbax9w/s320/july+2010+122.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This past weekend, Holly and I headed up to Bonelli Regional Park for the last stop on the US Cup Series for 2010 and the CA State Championships. Athlete Kerry Waldman came back from a back strain 6 weeks ago to take the State Title, the Hard Charger Award and the US Cup Series win. Way to go Kerry! His team, Rodder Racing, had a stellar weekend with Scott and Matt taking&nbsp;3rd in their respective classed (Scott wound up 12th overall!) at the Racers and Chasers 50 miler. Team mate James finished his first 50-miler in 6 hours. Way to go team!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6c1L1iUrI/AAAAAAAABA8/rRVnZZahd4c/s1600/IMG_0453%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6c1L1iUrI/AAAAAAAABA8/rRVnZZahd4c/s320/IMG_0453%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We got there way too early and wound up sitting around for hours. It was nice seeing Kerry win and visiting with&nbsp;friends, but the extra sleep would have been nice. With a 1:45 Pro/Cat 1 start, it got HOT out in San Dimas: 87deg, by&nbsp;race start and 20 deg,&nbsp;warmer than&nbsp;the past week at home. Oof.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking at the sign, figuring out my leg marking: lucky number 7.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6dBu1FEYI/AAAAAAAABBE/Rhrx9DvDT1Q/s1600/IMG_0456%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6dBu1FEYI/AAAAAAAABBE/Rhrx9DvDT1Q/s320/IMG_0456%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Justin at the start. All of 8 weeks back on the bike after a crash that left him with a fractured neck and patella. Really happy to see him on two wheels again and&nbsp;proud to have him "gimp" me in the race. Solid work, man.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6dYNpiO3I/AAAAAAAABBM/VLYJ5GgZWaQ/s1600/IMG_0461%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6dYNpiO3I/AAAAAAAABBM/VLYJ5GgZWaQ/s320/IMG_0461%5B1%5D" /></a><strike></strike></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;">Allison on the start line fresh off her first race at world Championships and a night of Sake shots. That explains the yawn. Ha!</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></strike><br /><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6d3Rn_l7I/AAAAAAAABBU/hKU5bV291xo/s1600/IMG_0463%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6d3Rn_l7I/AAAAAAAABBU/hKU5bV291xo/s320/IMG_0463%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Justin coming through on lap one, I think. He and I were in a group of 4-5 about 60 secs off the leaders, but&nbsp;I lost them when&nbsp;I dropped my chain. He'd go on to finish 4th. STUD.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6eCuRPRoI/AAAAAAAABBc/yF1Uk6yKYL0/s1600/IMG_0467%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6eCuRPRoI/AAAAAAAABBc/yF1Uk6yKYL0/s320/IMG_0467%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me coming through early in the race. Still "in it" from the looks of the picture, but I had no idea on placing the entire&nbsp;race.&nbsp;Hammer down and "doin' work" the whole time. It hurt.&nbsp;</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6eg1WtdaI/AAAAAAAABBk/pPXu6PhdZ2M/s1600/IMG_0468%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6eg1WtdaI/AAAAAAAABBk/pPXu6PhdZ2M/s320/IMG_0468%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These photos are out of order. Allison started in front of us and I never&nbsp;caught her. I managed to catch Joy and Heather, but Allison beat my overall time by almost 15 minutes. Girl is on fire and picked up&nbsp;the Pro State Championship. Wow!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6eqam-CtI/AAAAAAAABBs/CWvjEJ30T0Q/s1600/IMG_0469%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6eqam-CtI/AAAAAAAABBs/CWvjEJ30T0Q/s320/IMG_0469%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Somewhere around lap 3or 4 judging by how spread out the field is and by how beat tired I look. Not even the Donut socks could help me.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6exDuc0MI/AAAAAAAABB0/tmHXJwtdtLM/s1600/IMG_0470%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6exDuc0MI/AAAAAAAABB0/tmHXJwtdtLM/s320/IMG_0470%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steph catching Pro Joy Duerksen (sorry Joy!) late in the race. Pros did 5 laps, Steph's cat did 4. Steph picked up a State Champ jersey as did her husband, Dan. I'm beginning to think it was the Sake shots the night before. Hmmm...</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6fKPtWBXI/AAAAAAAABB8/p1-5B1glshE/s1600/IMG_0471%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6fKPtWBXI/AAAAAAAABB8/p1-5B1glshE/s320/IMG_0471%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Late in the race and just trying to keep the pedals turning. I was starting to cramp and alternating using my quads and hamstrings so neither muscle group would cramp. I sucked my chain into my rear wheel on the final short, steep climb about 1/2 mile from the finish. I thought about running, but the wheel wouldn't roll with the chain jammed the way it was. No choice but to pry it out. Don't think I lost any places in my class since the guy in front was 8 mins up on me. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6fSkLmD3I/AAAAAAAABCE/H2vUk4gEZLY/s1600/IMG_0472%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6fSkLmD3I/AAAAAAAABCE/H2vUk4gEZLY/s320/IMG_0472%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finishing up. Totally shelled. Actual time was 1:53.24 since&nbsp;I started 4 mins after the pros and the clock start. I feel more fit than last year's Incycle XC Challenge. but I'm not sure a comparison is valid since the courses were run in opposite directions. All I know is that I hung in with the front group for about&nbsp;50 minutes this year compared to 5 minutes last year. I'm calling it an improvement.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6faLgk3pI/AAAAAAAABCM/PdPrl_Ge9JY/s1600/IMG_0473%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TI6faLgk3pI/AAAAAAAABCM/PdPrl_Ge9JY/s320/IMG_0473%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">Time to put&nbsp;the finishing touches on my run fitness: 12 days&nbsp;left before&nbsp;my first Ultra Marathon. YIKES! </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">E.</div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-7089749108135786842010-08-04T17:57:00.000-07:002010-08-04T17:57:18.558-07:00Xterra Snow Valley RRI know I said I was done with tri training for a while, but I just couldn't stay away. Not that I got bored with exclusively cycling, I just find too much joy in swimming and running. So a few weeks back, I figured I'd salvage what I could of my early season fitness and have a go at Snow Valley.&nbsp;With&nbsp;zero pressure to qualify for world's or Nationals, I figured I'd show up and&nbsp;throw down&nbsp;absolutely everything I had and see what happened. I was out to have fun and smash myself along the way.&nbsp;It turned out to be a great day. Big Bear&nbsp;in the Summer NEVER&nbsp;disappoints; friggin' love it up there.&nbsp;<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAH1q9zcI/AAAAAAAAA94/0F71oOGoeJg/s1600/IMG_0287%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAH1q9zcI/AAAAAAAAA94/0F71oOGoeJg/s400/IMG_0287%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like the race kit? It came with the new job! While I didn't totally quit lifeguarding, I took myself off the schedule for July and August and started working for B&amp;L Bikes staring in late June. Working&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; two jobs and going to school was hellish for while, but year-round employment and STEEP shop&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; discounts&nbsp;will be perfect for me&nbsp;<span style="background-color: yellow;">in</span> the long run.&nbsp;My co-workers are awesome, we get along great and the&nbsp;parade of pro triathletes and super fast&nbsp;amateurs coming through the shop&nbsp;is always cool.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAOyNTFSI/AAAAAAAAA-A/DaIuI4ARaWY/s1600/IMG_0288%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAOyNTFSI/AAAAAAAAA-A/DaIuI4ARaWY/s400/IMG_0288%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shot of T2 from the base area. The swim and T1 are&nbsp;half way up the slope, which makes for&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; interesting&nbsp;race logistics, but probably the only Xterra with a net elevation LOSS. Good news for&nbsp;&nbsp; all&nbsp;you Gonzos out there who love bombing descents like I do. Steeper than it looks!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAXRj8WxI/AAAAAAAAA-I/C7gcYU-1Njg/s1600/IMG_0289%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAXRj8WxI/AAAAAAAAA-I/C7gcYU-1Njg/s400/IMG_0289%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Coming past T2 to finish out the initial 1/2 lap. Notice the Tri shoes! Saved me huge time in transition despite having to use road pedals. TriVents are drilled for 3-bolt cleats and my MTB&nbsp;cleats are 2-bolt. Little did I know there's an adapter and I didn't figure that out until I got home from work...after all the bike shops are closed. So on with the road pedals and cleats: I figured if I had to walk this course, I deserved to ruin my carbon soles. The shoes were amazing! Super light and stiff! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAgeqWXJI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/SyJxmFjIbhA/s1600/IMG_0291%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAgeqWXJI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/SyJxmFjIbhA/s400/IMG_0291%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Heading out to finish the bike course. You can see in the above pic the guy I had just passed on the downhill. I tried dropping him on the flat section and then tried hanging with him on the climb, but he had a 7-pound advantage on his S-Works hardtail. I found out on Saturday that my "race bike"&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; weighs 26 pounds. Ouch.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAmZelOzI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/SahEYdPy1pc/s1600/IMG_0292%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAmZelOzI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/SahEYdPy1pc/s400/IMG_0292%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finishing up the bike leg and getting out of my shoes. Saving time everywhere I can. Seriously, if&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;you're not getting off and walking, what does it matter what shoes you wear?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAs2xilSI/AAAAAAAAA-g/vFdg0PBW6IA/s1600/IMG_0293%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoAs2xilSI/AAAAAAAAA-g/vFdg0PBW6IA/s400/IMG_0293%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I vaguely remember hearing some people yelling for me, but I was so focused and on the limit that I&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; didn't even see who it was (thanks Allison and Justin! LOL!). You can barely see me bent over in the&nbsp;back ground (shoot the moon!), but the dude in the foreground is about to get a lesson in Transition 101...&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoA3GU5TpI/AAAAAAAAA-o/XzE1NVZbp2I/s1600/IMG_0294%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoA3GU5TpI/AAAAAAAAA-o/XzE1NVZbp2I/s400/IMG_0294%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See ya! That's how it's done people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoA_H5at8I/AAAAAAAAA-w/JnddLcNz7Qo/s1600/IMG_0295%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoA_H5at8I/AAAAAAAAA-w/JnddLcNz7Qo/s400/IMG_0295%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The guy in front of me was the one I battled with on the bike course. I chased him for the majority of the run course and put in&nbsp;some HARD efforts on the really steep stuff trying to reel him in, no dice. The "rock on" sign from me is because I hit the trash can with&nbsp;the aid station cup with an over the shoulder no-look toss. The volunteer was stoked: "Two points!". That's how I roll, son!&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoBH-wIp2I/AAAAAAAAA-4/3aG8a0YE2jA/s1600/IMG_0296%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoBH-wIp2I/AAAAAAAAA-4/3aG8a0YE2jA/s400/IMG_0296%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finishing up. Smashed. I got caught late in the race and battled with a someone for an overall spot. &nbsp;We passed each other at least 3 times that I can think of, but I finally cracked in a soft sand climb and he got away. Dammit. Still, I knew I'd given everything I had on that day and was stoked with how it&nbsp;felt regardless of where I placed.&nbsp;A solid race&nbsp;despite&nbsp;a shitty swim.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoBQKmHbdI/AAAAAAAAA_A/bGoGDtPs-aA/s1600/IMG_0301%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoBQKmHbdI/AAAAAAAAA_A/bGoGDtPs-aA/s400/IMG_0301%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's hot...and I'm tired...and racing...at altitude...hurts...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoBWhLRNoI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Y0lh-qMZgKo/s1600/IMG_0303%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoBWhLRNoI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Y0lh-qMZgKo/s400/IMG_0303%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got my stuff together and started packing up so we could&nbsp;drive the 2 hours home to San Diego since I had a paper due the next day. I heard the announcer calling out names and figured I'd see how I did. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoBdUj0ZcI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/JpE_UxIsJbc/s1600/IMG_0307%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoBdUj0ZcI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/JpE_UxIsJbc/s400/IMG_0307%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Third in my age group and&nbsp;tenth overall! WOW!&nbsp;Highest Xterra placing for me EVER. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoBj7VkLcI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/HJdsZqGDviE/s1600/IMG_0308%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TFoBj7VkLcI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/HJdsZqGDviE/s400/IMG_0308%5B1%5D" width="400" /></a></div>Cool burned wood trophies and a burned leather coaster as a finisher's award. I'm totally blown away since I didn't think I had a performance like that in the tank considering how sporadic training has been lately. Given how crappy Vegas went for me, I really needed a confidence boost training and racing-wise. Too bad I can't afford to race more, who knows what could happen!<br /><br />Recovery this week with no race plans as of yet, I'm just enjoying training and settling in to the new job.<br /><br />Hard work pays off!<br /><br />E.Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-37760876108979059592010-06-28T19:38:00.000-07:002010-06-28T20:26:42.411-07:00Old Habits<div><div>They're the toughest ones to kick; they've become so ingrained into our personalities, daily rituals and our lives that they become a part of who we are. </div><div> </div><div>I didn't order this...<br /></div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488020643698861010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TCldstuuY9I/AAAAAAAAA6c/4PhLxDHqlbU/s400/IMG_0243%5B1%5D" />School is one of those things I've been doing for a really, really long time and though I loathe to call myself a "student" I cannot ignore that I've been in school in some form or another for my entire life. Quite staggering when you really think about it. Meanwhile, Summer School started at the local JC and I'm beginning wrapping up my pre-reqs for Physician's Assistant school. The ironay is that State Parks sent me my background packet to re-do along with a letter stating that everyone on the current hiring list will be selected for the 2010 academy starting in October or for the 2011 academy starting next Spring...if there's enough money. I'm rudderless as far as a career path: PA means more money, but two years of school and $100k in additional debt. Lifeguard/Ranger means 1/2 as much money, but I get to stop being poor almost immediately. I'm familiar with the concept of delayed gratification so spare me the lecture, OK? Thanks!</div><div> </div><div>Students at Miramar College get to swim for free. Woot! Back in the pool and not spending any money to do it = WIN. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488020639448505730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TCldsd5XHYI/AAAAAAAAA6U/Cti4saSM9dM/s400/IMG_0244.jpg" />Unfortunately, the pool feels like it's about 84 degrees and all of the suit dryers are busted. FAIL. The pool is also the local community pool, and Holly says they're probably unplugged becasue the kids play with them. She's probably right.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488021958622229570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TCle5QM4tEI/AAAAAAAAA7E/0kgPTbSr4WU/s400/IMG_0245.jpg" />I'm also slowly adding running back into the mix. Mothing structured, but I have a ton of fun trail running and it's a great stop-gap for when I sleep past my alarm and miss a ride. Guess I'm a triathlete no matter what. I'm learning to accept it.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488020618997449602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TCldrRtcw4I/AAAAAAAAA6E/87laDwdJti8/s400/IMG_0246.jpg" />Any ideas on what to do about my career path? I'm lost on that one...</div><div> </div><div>E. </div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-41736165044620258812010-06-08T09:32:00.000-07:002010-06-08T10:14:06.080-07:00June GloomFrom urbandictionary.com<br /><br />"...extremely annoying late spring to early summer (and sometimes all summer long) weather phenomenon in coastal Southern California that causes relentless, damp, dreary, miserable weather with drizzle and fog for weeks without end at the beaches. It sometimes spreads into the mountains. This shocks tourists who come to 'sunny Southern California' to instead find themselves in Alaska. It spoils beach days a'plenty and for most locals is the most dreaded time of the year. Number 1 cause for Seasonal Affective Disorder in Southern California. A.k.a. May Gray."<br /><br />As much as that pertains to the local weather, it applies to my situation as well. The new budget for the State is due out at the end of June and there's lots of uncertainty about what's going to happen with our salary and furlough situation. Couple that with some non-employee friendly policy changes and I'm not stoked on my job at the moment.<br /><br /><div align="justify">As much as I need money to pay for stuff, I friggin HATE it sometimes. Stupid money...</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480442151877373810" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TA5xGbq6b3I/AAAAAAAAA5s/yZkv4mKEr2g/s400/money.jpg" />Sure money pays for me to do cool things that make me happy, but it's severely limiting that ablity right now since I don't have any extra to pay for "fun stuff". After crunching the numbers, it looks like I might not get to race any more this season; at $90 a race, triathlon is too rich for us right now. Tack on $70 a month for Master's swim, $24 a month for parking, $190 for a new HRM (my Garmin fell apart), $100 for new running shoes...you get the idea...<br /><br />Xterra Snow Valley 2008. Jon Clark in the orange camo and me in the orange top in the background. FUN race. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480442167514145634" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TA5xHV7Ao2I/AAAAAAAAA50/AWR1hSqmJgw/s400/Snow+Valley.jpg" />Moreover, I got really burned out on the 2-3 workouts a day triathlon grind. Up at O-dark 30, off to swim or ride, run at work on my break (which are getting cut back to 45 minutes, BTW). Come home, eat dinner, collapse into bed, repeat ad infinitum. All that and I might not even get to race again this year because of the cost. I got burned out...no surprise there.<br /><br />So I looked at WHY I liked racing, what aspect of triathlon kept me coming back since 2003.<br /><br />Swimming? No way. Every time I'd set my alarm for morning Master's, I'd get a sinking feling in the pit of my stomach. Definitely NOT whay I race.<br /><br />Running? I'll admit trail running puts a smile on my face, but sharing one Garmin with Holly turned out to be more problematic than I imagined AND I get running injuries far too frequently for me to really enjoy it.<br /><br />Biking? Well...yes! When I think about which Xterra courses I like and dislike, the deciding factor is always the "fun factor" of the bike course. I love shredding sweet single track and have this odd ability to destroy myself on a bicycle every day without hating it or myself. So I'm going back to where I started: racing mountain bikes.<br /><br />It's as much a financial decision as it is a personal one; races are cheaper and closer than tris, no more paying for Master's, no more buying running shoes and I don't have to figure out how to get my hands on a new HRM/GPS unit. Score.<br /><br />I've been not swimming and running for a few weeks and I'm loving it: I can ride to work on recovery days, saving money on gas, and motivation is high. I'm rolling with it. <br /><br />Plus I have more personal time since I'm no longer constantly prepping for or recovering from workouts. Which left me time to build a wheel for Luke. Cool.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480442175776258722" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/TA5xH0s2eqI/AAAAAAAAA58/b1L7YV2yQuE/s400/IMG_0242%5B1%5D" />There's that saying "make hay while the sun is shining" and that's good advice for me right now.<br /><br />I'm heading out for a ride. See ya...<br /><br />E.Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-30476298769277881092010-05-27T20:33:00.000-07:002010-05-27T21:20:09.596-07:00GroovyMemorial Day is right around the corner and with it, the busy lifeguarding season. It amazes me how people are convinced they should only go to the beach between now and Labor Day and I often wonder if the news didn't announce "Beach Season" if people would even notice. Best time to go to the beach? AFTER Labor Day; the water and the weather are still perfect and the crowds are GONE. Try it out and thank me later.<br /><br />I'm struggling with balancing work and training; tough to do given how variable my schedule can be and that I tend to train best when I can get into a groove and just hammer out the tough sessions. Speaking of jobs, I'm looking around at my options since the seasonal thing no longer works out for me. "The Governator" lost a lawsuit and the courts decided furloughs were illegal or something. Rumor has it our rates might go up to "only" a 5% pay cut or might get cut to a 15% reduction. Eff that. I'm outta there as soon as I find something that pays close to what I make now.<br /><br />As for training, I jump-started the second 1/2 of 2010 with a <a href="http://triclusandiego.org/">TCSD</a> aquathlon (1000 yard swim, 5k run). I was beat from the week, but desperately needed to remind myself that I CAN go fast when properly motivated.<br /><br />Awesome evening. <br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476160474996338946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S_868CUw8QI/AAAAAAAAA5c/ptrziUtwBp4/s400/IMG_0202%5B1%5D" />I got a lousy start and wound up mid-pack in the swim. I tried all the tricks I knew and just could not get clear. I took a beating the whole way and swallowed a ton of water. I need to swim more...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476160473758560882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S_8679tp8nI/AAAAAAAAA5U/zT9VdHSKaEo/s400/IMG_0204%5B1%5D" />Once I hit the beach, it was game on! I kept thinking how much different Vegas would have went if I'd had legs like this! I could see <a href="http://californiatraining.blogspot.com/">Beth</a> just in front of me at the turn-arounds and tried like hell to catch her, but just couldn't reel her in. It's like she runs fast or something. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476160468749018338" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S_867rDSZOI/AAAAAAAAA5M/nDuqu8VpgxU/s400/IMG_0210%5B1%5D" />CHARRRGE!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476163225560945106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S_89cI-eEdI/AAAAAAAAA5k/Aiz7x_YRyv8/s400/IMG_0207%5B1%5D" /> Mom and Dad stopped by this week to say hello, buy us dinner and drop off my "mail". This $80,000 piece of paper is the most expensive thing I own. Woo...<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S_867ErcfKI/AAAAAAAAA5E/YlTudX-epzM/s1600/IMG_0241%5B1%5D"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476160458448469154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S_867ErcfKI/AAAAAAAAA5E/YlTudX-epzM/s400/IMG_0241%5B1%5D" /></a><br />Dad brought a sixer from their vacation up near Punta Arenas. A decent stout with a solid body and hints of coffee. Nice. <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S_86620pkwI/AAAAAAAAA48/NuNmmZlQQ-I/s1600/IMG_0240.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476160454728979202" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S_86620pkwI/AAAAAAAAA48/NuNmmZlQQ-I/s400/IMG_0240.jpg" /></a><br />That's it from here. When you're out enjoying the holiday weekend, think of me working my butt off on a crowded beach and be glad you have your 9-5. =)</div><div> </div><div>E. </div></div></div></div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-70174319625025862732010-05-09T19:31:00.000-07:002010-05-09T20:22:26.414-07:00VicissitudesI've been really, REALLY tired since Holly and I got home from Xterra Vegas. I though it might have been residual fatigue from the food poisoning or maybe the 10-hour shifts I've been pulling at work.<br /><br />After a Facebook discussion with Allison, James, Steph and Trevor and some texting with Vance, it became clear that I needed more time off so I bagged the big weekend I had planned and shut down the training. As much as it hurts me to do so, I'm gonna have to forgo Maui this year and focus on Nationals instead. If I manage to qualify at MTN Champs, I'll have a go at it, but I had planned on peaking for MTN Champs; not happening.<br /><br />Then Holly calls me from the kitchen the next morning:<br />"Um...when did you buy DECAF?!"<br />Me: "What? You're kidding me, right?"<br />I moseyed into the kitchen and, to my horror, found THIS! DUM, DUM, DUMMMM!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S-dxW6MkYrI/AAAAAAAAA40/AkaCELFn9Mw/s1600/IMG_0185.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469464910857790130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S-dxW6MkYrI/AAAAAAAAA40/AkaCELFn9Mw/s400/IMG_0185.jpg" /></a> I had mistakenly bought it before the Vegas race. No wonder I've been so tired! I've been missing my crack! LOL! I chucked the impostor in the garbage and picked up some real coffee ASAP. Needless to say, morning's have been much easier to handle. =D<br /><br />Anyway, since I'm taking some more time off, I've been sleeping in and heading out for whatever I feel like doing on any given day. It's really been helping my mood and I know I'll be better off long-term with the extra rest. Live and Learn.<br /><br />So Saturday I headed out to the local trail system (Los Penasquitos Canyon) and just cruised around with a rough idea of what trails I felt like riding and how long it would take. Even on a busy trail day, stopping for, horses, kids, moms, dads, dogs, yadda, yadda. I still enjoyed myself where normally I'd be fuming at the people in MY way. A clear indicator I've turned the corner on the fatigue.<br /><br />Even double track is getting over-grown! Trails are great right now.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S-dxWIzM3uI/AAAAAAAAA4s/oH_7xrjHWZY/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469464897598054114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S-dxWIzM3uI/AAAAAAAAA4s/oH_7xrjHWZY/s400/IMG_0195.jpg" /></a> Somewhere on the run down "cobbles" I found my smile. Been looking for that.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S-dxVdKbGMI/AAAAAAAAA4k/gp6M6oHI82g/s1600/IMG_0197%5B1%5D"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469464885884295362" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S-dxVdKbGMI/AAAAAAAAA4k/gp6M6oHI82g/s400/IMG_0197%5B1%5D" /></a><br />...and 1/2 mile from the car, I heard and felt a slight "PING" followed by my saddle suddenly dropping. Diagnosis: broken seat rail. It's not my fault, the seat slides back on the rails, which bend and prevent me from putting the saddle where it should be. Having it slammed that far back weakens the rail and it eventually breaks. A new WTB Silverado is on the way and the saddle on the SS will do until then. =D<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S-dxU1Bs7TI/AAAAAAAAA4c/QGo5-EQlHMQ/s1600/IMG_0199%5B1%5D"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469464875110296882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S-dxU1Bs7TI/AAAAAAAAA4c/QGo5-EQlHMQ/s400/IMG_0199%5B1%5D" /></a><br /><br />Tire review (Conti Race King Supersonic):</div><div>They're everything you'd expect from a light XC tire: light, grippy and fast rolling. I like how predictable they are in corners, it's easy to ride them right to the limit of what the tire can do and the round profile make the transitions from straight-line riding to cornering seamless. They're also: expensive, they slide out on you if you push them into a corner even a <em>little </em>too hard, the sidewalls are flimsy the tubed versions pinch-flatted on me and the lugs shred FAST (see photo).<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S-dxUcDvTcI/AAAAAAAAA4U/fp0LJE4qE6c/s1600/IMG_0201%5B1%5D"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469464868407954882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S-dxUcDvTcI/AAAAAAAAA4U/fp0LJE4qE6c/s400/IMG_0201%5B1%5D" /></a><br />I'm thinking of trying them in tubeless before totally giving up on them. Tough call considering the cost and weight is the same as my trusty Larsen's. The grip might be better, but if they're less-durable that's a wash in my book. I'll let you know.</div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">~</span></div><div></div><div>In other news, brother Steve killed it at Xterra Del Valle, chopping 50 minutes off his time from last year and nabbing 9th in his AG. Holly ran solid at the Malibu Creek 22K (friggin' STEEP) and finished in just over 3 hours. Great job you guys!</div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">~</span></div><div></div><div>Last thing. Mom called: my diploma came in the mail. Woot! I'm reeling at the fact that I have a degree from a top-10 University. Whoa!</div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">~</span></div><div></div><div>Easy training this week, testing this weekend and back to some base fitness work. Stoked I can re-do my base with a power meter. Time to get on it!</div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">~</span></div><div></div><div>E.<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1301980903126900064.post-84207402645522859552010-05-02T19:37:00.000-07:002010-05-02T20:08:41.544-07:00Moving OnI got some tough love about last week's results and I definitely I needed the wake-up call. I put way too much pressure on myself to perform at Xterra West and I absolutely caved beneath it. I didn't handle the food poisoning right, swapped tires when I shouldn't have and stressed out about the heat and the course. Dumb.<br /><br />I absolutely went into last weekend half-cocked; my easy workouts this week have been nothing short of amazing as I wound up dropping 6 secs per 100 in the pool and running incredibly fast in very easy HR zones. Honestly, I think I dug too deep a hole back in February and never got out of it. Looking back at my training data, I should have recognized it and taken some time off. This is where having someone else coach you helps tremendously. Alas, I still lack the funds to hire a coach. Moving on.<br /><br />Speaking of moving on, my next planned race is Xterra Tahoe City in June. I had planned on racing Xterra del Valle with brother Steve, but my heel and my bank account are still recovering from the Vegas Race. No worries; plenty of racing left!<br /><br />The Tahoe course looks steep. Here's the course map from the website. For those of you fuzzy on reading contour maps, the more squiggly lines you cross, the steeper it is. The 22 mile bike course has 2400 feet of gain in it. For comparison, San Juan trail is 22.8 miles with 3700 vertical feet. Actually, looking at it like that makes it seem not so bad. Cool!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 394px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466868134106994226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-Zga6tsk-Ao/S943mm9ZljI/AAAAAAAAA4M/xQeszoE_4X8/s400/Tahoe+City+Course+map.jpg" /> Mountain champs looks WAY worse: 15.5 miles and 3600 vertical feet. Yeeouch! Looks like a great course, though. I'm all over it. Sorry for the .pdf file, I can't seem to embed it in the 'blog. Computer noob!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.xterrabeavercreek.com/images/xterra-mtb-2010.pdf">http://www.xterrabeavercreek.com/images/xterra-mtb-2010.pdf</a></div><div>~</div><div>Anyway. Rest and relaxation is done and I'm ready to get back to training. I'm re-visiting some base work and transitioning all my bike workouts to power-based. I've seen some improvements just basing my power zones off my approximated FTP and I'm sure I'll see much more improvements once I get my CP zones all dialed in. I'm excited to see what the rest of the season holds. Off to bed; master's swim in the morning...</div><div> </div><div>E.</div>Zippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278939539967038239noreply@blogger.com2